Tlie    Property 

OF    THE 

• 

ISIfflDIST  l&JMOIfflT 

2HZIMTT, 

BARTON    SQUARE,    SALEM. 

DEPOSITED 


LIBRARY 


—  up    THB  — 


ESSEX    INSTITUTE. 


■*/- 


PUBLISHED    AND     SOLD    BY     SAMUEL    T.     ARMSTRONG,    NO.    50, 
CORNHILL,    BOSTON. 


REVIEW 


OF 


AMERICAN    UNITARIANISM. 


[Extracted  from  the  Panoplist.'\ 


American  Unitarianism;  or  a 
Brief  History  of  "the  Pro- 
gress and  Present  State  of  the. 
Unitarian  Churches  in  Amer- 
ica" Compiled,  from  Docu- 
ments and  Information  commu- 
nicated   by     the.  Rev.   J'ames 

■  Ekeeman,  J).  I),  and  Wil- 
liam Wells,  jun.Esq.  of 
Boston,  and  from  other  Unita- 
rian Gentlemen  in  this  country, 
by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Bel- 
sham,  Essex  Street,  London, 
Extracted  from  his  "Memoirs 
of  the  Life  of  the  Rev.  1 he- 
ophilus  Lindset,"  printed 
in  London,  1812,  and  now  pub- 
lished for  the  benefit  of  Chris- 
tian Churches  in  this  country, 
without  note  or  alteration. 
Third  Edition.  Boston;  Na- 
thaniel Willis.      1815.  pp.  48. 

We  regard  the  appearance  of 
this  pamphlet  as  one  of  the  most 
important  events,  which  have 
taken  place  for  many  years,  in 
reference  to  the  interests  of  reli- 
gion in  our  country.  It  has  been 
known,  for  at  least  a  quarter  of  a 
century,  by  those  who  have  been 
well-informed  on  the  subject, 
that  there  has  been  in  Boston  a 
defection  from  those  doctrines 
of  the  Bible,  which  have  usually 
been  denominated  orthodox  in 
Protestant  communities.  It  has 
beenjtnown,  that  this  defection 
I 


has  gradually  increased;  has  si- 
lently  and  covertly  extended  it- 
self into  a  considerable  number 
of  congregations  in  the  vicinity; 
and  has  been,  in  a  few  instances, 
openly  avowed.  From  a  great 
variety  of  anonymous  publica- 
tions it  has  been  evident,  that  the 
•defection  had- proceeded  in  the 
downward  course  to  the  lowest 
degrees  of  Socinianism,  and  to 
the  very  borders  of  open  infidel- 
ity. Further  than  this; — it  has 
not  been  in  a  few  solitary  instan- 
ces only,  that  persons,  who  have 
been  near  the  centre  of  all  these 
operations,  have  heard  from  the 
pulpit  both  sermons  and  prayers, 
which  neither  expressed  nor  im- 
plied any  thing  more  than  sober 
Deism,  and  which  were  totally 
at  variance  with  the  Gospel. 
These  things,  and  many  more  of 
a  similar  character,  have  war- 
ranted such  disclosures  through 
the  medium  of  our  work,  and  of 
other  publications,  as  have  fully 
apprized  the  Christian  public  of 
the  existence  of  such  a  defection, 
as  has  been  briefly  described 
above.  But  as  the  work  of  error 
was  carried  on  for  the  most  part 
in  secret; — as  many  well-mean- 
ing people  were  led  in  the  dark; 
— and  as  proselytes  were  made 
principally  by  suppressing  truth, 
rather  than  by  explicitly  propos- 
ing and  defending  error,  it  was  a 


4  i!L0tV»* 


Complaints  of  the  Boston  Clergy. 


difficult  matter  so  to  expose  the 
evil,  as  to  present  its  character-, 
extent,  and  design,  in  full  view, 
before  the  eyes  of  its  friends  and 
its  enemies.    It  has  been  an  arti- 
fice practised    systematically  by 
a    majority   of    the    clergymen, 
who   have   led   the    way  in   this 
apostasy   from    the  faith  of  the 
Protestant  churches,  and,  as  we 
believe   we   may   safely  add,  in 
this  apostasy  from   Christianity, 
to  inculcate  the  opinion,  that  they 
did    not    differ    materially    from 
their  clerical   brethren   through 
the   country.     This   artifice  has 
been  carried  so  far  as  to  induce 
them    to     complain,     in    bitter 
terms,  that  they  were  slandered 
by  our  work,  when  represented 
as  thus  differing,  and  as  promot- 
ing  the  circulation  of  Socinian 
books;  although  every  represen- 
tation, which  we  have  made  on 
the  subject,  has  been  warranted 
by     most     abundant     evidence. 
They  have  complained,  that  they 
were  not  invited  to  preach  when 
travelling  through  the  country; 
and   have  imputed  this   neglect 
to  the  effect  of  slander.     It  is  to 
be  remembered,  that  the  slander 
complained  of  is  the  allegation, 
that  they  differ  essentially  in  re- 
ligious  doctrine   from  the  great 
body   of   the    American    clergy. 
Within   a   very  few   months,   a 
clergyman,  who  we  feel  author- 
ized to  say  is  a  decided  Socinian 
of  the  German  school,  complain- 
ed  that   he    was  not   invited  to 
preach  in  New  York;  which  he 
imputed  to  the  slanders  of  the 
orthodox:   and  yet,  at  the  very 
time  of  making  this  complaint, 
he  must  have   known,  that  his 
real  o/wiions,  if  openly  avowed, 
■would  exclude   him  from  nearly 
every  pulpit  south  of  Massachu 
setts.      lie  must   have   known, 


also,  that  no  representations, 
made  by  the  orthodox,  ever 
placed  the  Boston  clergy,  gen- 
erally, lower  on  the  scale  of  reli- 
gious doctrine,  than  his  own 
opinions  actually  were. 

We  should  not  be  thus  par- 
ticular, were  it  not  that  the  cry 
of  calumny  has  been  raised  with 
considerable  effect,  and  with  the 
most  unblushing  confidence.  But 
this  cry  cannot  be  raised  here- 
after on  the  same  account,  and 
in  the  same  manner.  The  pam- 
phlet before  us  furnishes  most 
decisive  evidence,  on  the  sub- 
ject of  the  state  of  religion  in 
Boston  and  the  vicinity.  It  is* 
evidence  which  can  neither  be 
evaded,  nor  resisted,  by  the  lib- 
eral party;  as  it  is  taken  wholly 
from  a  book,  published  by  Mr. 
Belsham,  who  is  at  the  head  of 
that  party  in  England,  and  who 
lays  before  the  reader  original 
letters  from  Dr.  Freeman  and 
Mr.  Wells,  authenticated  by 
their  proper  names. 

It  will  be  asked,  perhaps,  what 
is  the  meaning  of  Umtananism, 
as  the  word  is  used  in  this  pam- 
phlet? The  inquiry  is  natural; 
and  we  answer  it  as  follows.  Mr. 
Belsham  considers  himself  a  con- 
sistent and  decided  Unitarian. 
He  evidently  supposes,  also,  that 
all  consistent  and  decided  Unita- 
rians, on  both  sides  of  the  water, 
agree  substantially  with  him. 
That  the  reader  may  become 
acquainted  with  Mr.  Belsham's 
opinions,  we  shall  quote  his  own 
words.  The  length  of  the  quo- 
tations will  be  excused,  when 
the  importance  of  the  subject  is 
considered. 

The  publisher  of  the  pamphlet 
has  introduced  it  with  a  very 
suitable  preface, containing  large 
extracts  from  Belsham's  l+view 


Unitarian  Creed  by  Mr.  Btlsham. 


a 


*/*  Wilberforce's  Treatise.  The 
greater  part  of  these  extracts  we 
shall  cite  below,  and  add  to  them 
several  passages  from  Mr.  Bel- 
sharn's  Calm  Inquiry  and  Me- 
moirs of  Lindsey. 

"  "God  is  the  Former,  the  Father,  and 
Benefactor  of  the  human  race,  whom  for 
■wise  reasons,  unknown  to  us,  but  perfectly 
consistent,  no  doubt,  with  his  magnificent 
plan  of  universal  order  and  happiness,  he 
has  been  pleased  to  place  in  circumstances 
of  frailty  and  danger,  the  natural  conse- 
quence of  which,  in  their  progress  through 
life,  is  the  contraction  of  a  certain  degree 
of  moral  pollution,  which  in  the  nature  of 
things,  and  by  the  divine  appointment, 
exposes  them  to  a  proportionate  degree  of 
misery  here  or  hereafter. 

"  "But  this  fact  by  no  means  proves  a 
preponderance  of  vice  and  misery  in  the 
world;  otherwise  we  must  conclude  that 
the  Maker  of  the  world,  whose  character 
we  learn  only  from  his  works,  is  a  weak  or 
a  malignant  being.  The  truth  is,  that  al- 
though the  quantity  of  vice  and  misery 
actually  existing  is  very  considerable, 
there  is,  nevertheless,  upon  the  whole,  a 
very  great  preponderance  of  good  in  gen- 
eral, and  with  few,  if  any  exceptions,  in 
every  individual  in  particular. 

"  "The  almost  universal  desire  of  life 
and  dread  of  dissolution,  amount  to  a 
strong  presumption,  that  life  is  in  general 
a  blessing.  And  the  disgrace  universally 
attached  to  flagrant  vice,  proves  that  such 
vice  is  not  common.  Character  is  the  sum 
total  of  moral  and  intellectual  habits,  and 
the  proportion  of  virtuous  habits  in  the 
worst  characters,  exceeds  that  of  vicious 
ones.  But  no  character  takes  the  de- 
nomination of  virtuous  unless  all  the  hab- 
its are  on  the  side  of  virtue:  whereas  one 
evil  habit  is  sufficient  to  stamp  a  character 
vicious. 

"  "God  cannot  be  unjust  to  any  of  his 
creatures.  Having  brought  men  into  ex- 
istence and  placed  them  in  circumstances 
of  imminent  peril,  though  in  the  nature  of 
things  misery  is  necessarily  connected 
with  vice,  we  may  certainly  conclude  that 
none  of  the  creatures  of  God  in  such,  or 
in  any  circumstances,  will  ever  be  made 
eternally  miserable.  Indeed  it  is  plainly 
repugnant  to  the  justice  of  God,  that  ex- 
istence to  any  of  his  intelligent  creatures, 
should  be  upon  the  whole  a  curse. 

"  "The  light  of  philosophy  affords  a 
few  plausible  arguments  for  the  doctrine 
of  a  future  life:  there  are  some  appearan- 
ces physical  and  moral,  which  cannot  be 
satisfactorily  explained  upon  any  other 
supposition.    But  since  the  sentient  pow- 


ers are  suspended  by  death,  and  admit  of 
no  revival  but  by  the  revival  of  the  man, 
a  fact  the  expectation  of  which  is  entirely 
unsupported  both  by  experience  and  anal- 
ogy, the  speculations  of  philosophy  would 
commonly,  and  almost  necessarily,  termi- 
nate in  the  disbelief  of  a  future  existence. 

"  "Here  divine  revelation  offers  its  sea- 
sonable and  welcome  aid.  God  has  com- 
missioned his  faithful  and  holy  servant, 
Jesus  of  Nazareth,  to  teach  the  universal 
resurrection  of  the  dead,  and  by  his  own 
resurrection  to  confirm  and  exemplify  his 
doctrine. 

"  "Jesus  hath  authoritatively  taught, 
that  the  wicked  will  be  raised  to  suffering: 
nor  could  it  possibly  be  otherwise,  if  they 
are  to  be  raised  with  the  same  system  of 
habits  and  feelings  with  which  they  de- 
scended to  the  grave,  and  without  which 
their  identity  would  be  lost.  But  since 
eternal  misery  for  temporary  crimes  is 
inconsistent  with  every  principle  of  jus- 
tice, and  since  a  resurrection  from  previ- 
ous insensibility  to  indefinite  misery,  to  be 
succeeded  by  absolute  annihilation,  is  a 
harsh  supposition,  contrary  to  all  analogy, 
and  not  to  be  admitted  but  upon  the  clear- 
est evidence,  we  ;ire  naturally  led  to  con- 
clude, that  the  suffering--  of  the  wicked 
will  be  remedial,  and  that  they  will  termi- 
nate in  a  complete  purification  from  moral 
disorder,  and  in  their  ultimate  restoration 
to  virtue  ar.d  happiness.  In  this  conclu- 
sion we  seem  to  be  justified  by  those  pas- 
sages in  the  apostolical  writings  which  de- 
clare, that  the  blessings  of  the  Gospel 
shall  be  far  more  extensive  than  the  ca- 
lamities of  the  f«ll,  and  that  Christ  shall 
reign  till  all  things  shall  be  subdued  unto 
him.     (Rom  v. — 1  Cor.  xv.) 

"  "I  he  apostles  were  commanded  to 
prer.eh  the  Gospel  to  the  idolatrous  hea- 
then as  well  as  to  the  chosen  family  of 
Abraham,  and  they  were  authorized  to 
confirm  their  doctrine  by  miracles.  These 
extraordinary  powers  are  in  the  Scrip- 
tures called  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  the 
Holy  Spirit;  and  the  great  change  which 
took  place  in  the  views,  feelings,  and 
character  of  pharisaic  Jews  and  idolatrous 
heathen,  when  they  sincerely  professed 
the  Christian  faith,  is  called,  a  ?iew  crea- 
tion, regeneration,  rising  from  the  dead, 
and  the  like.  And  as  conversion  to  Chris- 
tianity was  usually  produced  by  the  evi- 
dence  of  miracles,  this  new  creation,  re- 
generation, sanctification,  or  passing  from 
death  to  life,  is  in  this  sense  ascribed  to 
the  Spirit  of  God. 

"  "The  Jjjws,  having  been  chosen  by 
Clod  to  ;ieculiar  privileges,  entertained  a 
very  high  notion  of  their  own  dignitv,  and 
expressed  themselves  in  the  most  con- 
temptuous language  of  the  idolatrous  gen- 
tiles, who  were  not  in  covenant  with  Je- 


4 


Unitarian  Creed  by  Mr.  Belsham. 


hovah.  Of  themselves  they  spoke  as  a 
chosen  and  a  holy  nation,  sons  ef  God, 
and  heirs  of  the  promises.  But  the  hea- 
thens were  represented  «s  sinners,  as 
■  aliens,  as  enemies  to  God,  and  the  like. 
In  allusion  to  which  tonus  of  expression, 
the  converted  gentiles  being  entitled 
equally  with  comerted  Jews,  to  the  bles- 
sings of  the  new  dispensation,  they  are 
therefore  said  to  be  forgiven,  reconciled, 
and  saved,  to  be  fellow-citizens  with  the 
saints,  and  of  the  household  of  God. 

"  "The  death  of  Jesus  is  sometimes 
called  a  propitiation,  because  it  put  an 
end  to  the  Mosaic  economy,  and  intro- 
duced a  new  and  more  liberal  dispensa- 
tion, under  which  the  gentiles,  who  were 
before  regarded  as  enemies,  are  admitted 
into  a  state  of  amity  and  reconciliation; 
that  is,  into  a  state  of  privilege  similar  to 
that  of  the  Jews.  It  is  also  occasionally 
called  a  sacrifice,  being  the  ratification  of 
that  new  covenant  into  which  God  is 
pleased  to  enter  with  his  human  offspring, 
by  which  a  resurrection- to  immortal  life 
and  happiness  is  promised,  without  dis- 
tinction, to  all  who  are  truly  virtuous. 
Believers  in  Christ  are  also  said  to  have 
redemption  through  his  blood,  because 
they  are  released  by  the  Christian  Cove- 
nant from,  the  yoke  of  the  ceremonial 
la*',  and  from  the  bondage  of  idolatry. 
Dr.  Taylor  has  in  general  well  explained 
these  Jewish  phrases  in  his  admirable 
Key  to  the  apostolic  writings  prefixed  to 
his  Commentary  on  the  Epistle  to  the 
litomans. 

"  "The  Scriptures  contain  a  faithful  and 
oredible  account  of  the  Christian  doctrine, 
which  is  the  true  word  oj  God:  but  they 
are  not  themselves  the  word  of  God,  nor 
do  they  ever  assume  that  title:  and  it  is 
highly  improper  to  speak  of  them  as  such, 
as  it  leads  inattentive  readers  to  suppose 
they  were  written  under  a  plenary  inspir- 
ation, to  which  they  make  no  pretension, 
and  as  such  expressions  expose  Christian- 
ity unnecessarily  to  the  cavils  of  unbe- 
lievers. 

"  ''Christianity  sums  up  the  whole  of 
humRn  duty  in  the  love  of  God  and  our 
neighbor;  and  requiring  that  all  our  time 
shoulu'  be  employed  to  the  best  account, 
and  that  every  action  should  be  conse- 
crated to  God,  lays  no  stress  upon  ritual 
observations,  and  expressly  abolishes  that 
distinction  of  days,  which  formed  so  con- 
spicuous a  feature  in  the  Mosaic  institute. 
To  a  true  Christian  every  day  is  a  Sub- 
hath,  every  place  is  a  temple,  and  every 
action  of  life  an  act  of  devotion.  A  Chris- 
tian is  not  required  to  be  more  holy,  nor 
permitted  to  take  greater  liberties  upon 
one  day  than  upon  another.  Whatever 
is  lawful  or  expedient  upon  one  day  of  the 
week  is,  under  the  C&ristian  dispensation, 


equally  lawful  and  expedient  on  any  other 
day.  Public  worship,  however,  must  be 
conducted  at  stated  intervals;  and  it  has 
been  usual  for  the  earliest  times  for 
Christians  to  assemble  together,  on  the 
first  day  of  the  week,  to  commemorate 
the  death  and  to  celebrate  the  resurrec* 
tion  of  their  Master. 

"  "'1  his  appears  to  me  to  be  the  true 
doctrine  of  reason  and  revelation,  in  which 
the  God  of  nature  is  not  represented  as 
frowning  over  his  works,  and  like  a  mer- 
ciless tyrant  dooming  his  helpless  crea- 
tures to  eternal  misery,  with  the  arbitrary 
exception  of  a  chosen  few;  but  as  the  wise, 
benevolent,  and  impartial  parent  of  his 
rational  offspring,  who  is  training  them  all, 
under  various  processes  of  intellectual 
and  moral  discipline,  to  perfect  virtue 
and  everlasting  felicity.  Such  is  the  God 
of  my  iailh  and  adoration,  the  God  of  na- 
ture and  of  revelation,  the  God  and  Father 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  God  whose 
existence,  attributes,  and  government  are 
the  joy  and  confidence  of  every  enlighten- 
ed and  virtuous  believer." "  See  Bel- 
shoms  Review  of  IVilberforce' s  Treatise, 
Letter  It. 

"The  Unitarians  generally  believe,  that 
Jesus  having  exercised  bis  public  ministry 
for  the  space  of  a  year,  and  perhaps  a  little 
more,  suffered  death  publicly  upon  the 
cross,  not  to  appease  the  wrath  of  God, 
not  as  a  satisfaction  to  divine  justice,  not 
to  exhibit  the  evil  of  sin,  nor  in  any  sense 
whatever  to  make  an  atonement  to  God 
for  it;  for  this  doctrine  in  every  sense, 
and  according  to  every  explanation,  they 
explode  as  irrational,  unscriptural,  and 
derogatory  from  the  divine  perfections: 
but  as  a  martyr  to  the  truth,  and  as  a 
necessary  preliminary  to  his  resurrection. 
And  they  hold,  that  it  was  wisely  ordered, 
to  preclude  cavils,  that  his  death  should 
be  an  event  of  great  public  notoriety,  and 
inflicted  by  his  enemies."  See  Hclshum's 
Calm  Inquiry  into  the  Scripture  Dor- 
trine  concerning  the  person  of  Christ, 
pp.  449,  450. 

"The  Unitftvians  further  believe,  that 
after  having  given  sufficient  proofs  to  his 
disciples,  for  forty  days,  of  the  truth  of 
his  resurrection,  he  was  in  a  miraculous 
manner  withdrawn  from  their  society,  a 
circumstance  which  is  described  as  an  as- 
cension into  heaven."     lb.  pp.  450,  451. 

"The  Unitarians  maintain,  that  Jesus 
and  his  apostles  were  supernaturally  in- 
structed as  far  as  was  necessary  for  the 
execution  of  their  commission,  that  is,  lor 
the  revelation  and  proof  of  the  doctrine  of 
eternal  life,  and  that  the  favor  of  God  ex- 
tended to  the   Gentiles    equally   witu  the 


Unitarian  Creed  by  Mr.  Belsham. 


•Jews;  and  that  Jesus  and  his  apostles,  and 
others  of  the  primitive  believers,  -were 
occasionally  inspired  to  foretell  future 
events.  But  they  believe,  that  supernat- 
ural inspiration  was  limited  to  these  cases 
alone;  and  that  when  Jesus  or  his  apostles 
deliver  opinions  upon  subjects  unconnect- 
ed with  the  object  of  their  mission,  such 
opinions  and  their  reasonings  upon  them, 
are  to  be  received  with  the  same  atten- 
tion and  caution  with  those  of  other  per- 
sons in  similar  circumstances,  of  similar 
education,  and  with  similar  habits  of  think- 
ing. 

"The  Unitarians  admit,  that  the  Scrip- 
tures of  the  Old  and  New  Testament,  and 
especially  the  latter,  contain  authentic 
records  of  facts,  and  of  divine  interposi- 
tions; but  they  utterly  deny  the  univer- 
sal inspiration  of  the  writers  of  those 
compositions,  as  a  qualification  to  which 
indeed  they  make  no  pretension,  and  of 
which  they  offer  no  proof;  and  the  asser- 
tion of  which  tends  only  to  embarrass  the 
evidences  of  revelation,  and  to  give  ad- 
vantage to  its  enemies.  And  they  judge 
of  the  genuineness,  of  the  meaning,  and 
of  the  credibility  of  these  works,  exactly 
in  the  same  way  as  they  judge  of  any 
other  ancient  writings."     lb.  pp.  451,452. 

"The  Unitarians  disavow  all  those  per- 
sonal regards  to  Christ,  and  direct  ad- 
dresses to  him,  either  of  prayer  or  praise, 
which  properly  fall  under  the  denomina- 
tion of  religious  worship,  as  unfounded  in 
reason,  unauthorized  by  Scripture,  de- 
rogatory from  the  honor  of  the  Supreme 
Being,  the  only  proper  object  of  religious 
homage,  and  as  in  a  strict  and  proper 
sense  polytheistical  and  idolatrous."  lb. 
p.  454. 

"The  Unitarians  think  it  superfluous  to 
produce  any  arguments  to  prove,  that  a 
person,  who  is  repeatedly  called  a  man, 
who  had  every  appearance  of  a  human 
being,  who  was  born,  who  grew,  who  liv- 
ed, who  conversed,  who  felt,  who  acted, 
•who  suffered,  and  who  died  like  other 
men,  who  was  universally  believed  to  be 
a  man  by  all  who  saw  and  conversed  with 
him,  and  was  addressed  and  spoken  of  as 
a  human  being  by  all  his  contemporaries, 
whether  friends  or  enemies,  was  really 
what  he  appeared  and  affirmed  himself  to 
be,  truly  and  properly  a  m,ti,  and  nothing 
more  than  a  man."    lb.  pp.  455,  456. 

"They  observe,  that  there  is  no  allusion 
at  all  to  the  supposed  pre-existent  state 
and  superior  nature  of  Jesus  Christ,  in 
three  of  the  Evangelists,  or  in  the  history 
of  the  apostles'  preaching,  and  of  the  first 
plantation  of  the  Gospel  contained  in  the 


Ats  of  the  Apostles;  and  that  John  is  a 
very  mystical  writer,  abounding  in  harsh 
metaphors  and  symbolical  phraseology, 
very  different  from  the  simplicity  which 
characterizes  the  other  evangelists.  Nor 
can  they  discern  any  traces  of  that  sur- 
prise and  astonishment,  which  must  have 
seized  the  minds  of  the  disciples  and  com- 
panions of  Jesus,  when  it  was  first  reveal- 
ed to  them,  that  the  master  with  whom 
they  had  so  frequently  and  familiarly  con- 
versed, was  the  Lord  their  Maker,  or  at 
least  a  great  celestial  spirit  in  a  human 
shape."     pp.  456,  457. 

"The  Unitarians  do  not  presume  to 
say  that  God  might  not,  if  he  had  pleased, 
have  revealed  other  doctrines  to  mankind 
by  Jesus  Christ,  besides  that  most  impor- 
tant one  of  a  future  life.  But  they  pro- 
fess, that  after  reading  the  New  Testa- 
ment with  the  greatest  attention,  this 
doctrine  appears  to  be  the  one  great  ob- 
ject of  the  Christian  revelation,  which  is 
in  this  view  most  worthy  of  Cod,  and  most 
beneficial  to  men."    p.  470. 

"Believing  that  Jesus  was  in  all  re.-pects 
like  unto  his  brethren,  and  pursuing  his 
principles  to  their  just  consequences,  he 
[Dr.  Priestley]  argued  that  our  Savior 
came  into  the  world  with  the  frailties 
and  infirmities  of  a  human  being,  moral 
as  well  as  physical,  and  that,  by  the  pecu- 
liar process  of  mental  discipline  to  which 
he  was  subjected,  he  grew  up  to  that 
consummate  dignity  and  elevation  of  char- 
acter, under  which  he  appeal's  in  the 
writings  of  the  Evangelists.  And  this 
truly  Christian  philosopher  believed  it  to 
be  not  o!ily  a  more  rational  way  of  ac- 
counting for  the  excellence  of  our  Lord's 
character,  and  more  agreeable  to  the 
language  of  the  New  Testament,  which 
represents  him  as  growing  in  wisdom  and 
in  favor  with  God  and  man,  but,  in  truth, 
more  honorable  to  our  Lord  himself,  that 
his  perfect  moral  excellence  should  be  the 
result  of  his  own  exertion,  vigilance,  and 
fortitude,  rather  than  of  a  supernatural 
operation."  See  Belsham' a  Memoirs  of 
JJndsey,  pp.  'i'25,  '2'i6. 

"In  the  present  day,  the  alarm  h&v\  >g 
subsided,  and  a  cooler  examination  of  the 
subject  having  taken  place,  it  would,  I  be- 
lieve, be  hard  to  find  any  considerate  ai.d 
consistent  Unitarian,  who  does  not  adapt 
Dr.  Priestley's  ideas  concerning  the  for- 
mation of  our  Lord's  moral  character." 
lb.  p.  226. 

"The  Unitarian  doctrine  is,  that  Jesus 
of  Nazareth  was  a  man  constituted  in  all 
respects   like   Other   men,  subject  to  the 


6 


Mr.  Lindseys  Creed. 


same  infirmities,  the  same  ignorance,  pre- 
judices, and  frailties."  lb.  as  quoted  by 
Dr.  JSIagee,  in  hisg-eat  work,  p.  510. 

"  "Jesus  is  indeed  now  alive.  But  as  we 
are  totally  ignorant  of  the  place  where  he 
resides,  and  of  the  occupations  in  which 
he  is  engaged,  there  can  he  no  proper 
foundation  for  religious  addresses  to  him, 
tiov  of  gratitude  for  favors  now  received, 
nor  yet  of  confidence  in  his  future  inter- 
position in  our  behalf."  "  See  Review  of 
iVilberforcfs  Treatise,  Letter  VIII. 

MR.  LTNDSEl's   CREEP. 

t«  "There  is  One  God,  one  single  per- 
son who  is  God,  the  sole  Creator  and 
Sovereign  Lord  of  all  things. 

"  "The  holy  Jesus  was  a  man  of  the 
Jewish  nation,  a  servant  of  this  God, 
highly  honored  and  distinguished  by  him. 

"  "The  Spirit,  or  Holy  Spirit,  was  not 
a  person  or  intelligent  being,  but  only  the 
extraordinary  power  or  gift  of  God,  first 
to  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  himself  in  his 
life  time,  and  afterwards  to  the  Apostles 
and  many  of  the  fii-st  Christians,  to  em- 
power them  to  preach  and  piopagate  the 
Gospel  with  success."  "  See  Jllemoirs  of 
Lindsey,  p.  212. 

The  foregoing  quotations  are 
sufficient  to  give  the  reader  some 
*  acquaintance  with  the  religious 
opinions  of  leading  Unitarians. 
We  will  only  add,  that  Mr.  Bel- 
sham  clearly  adopts  the  opinion 
of  Dr.  Priestley,  that  "our  Sa- 
vior was  as  much  in  the  dark,  as 
the  most  vulgar  among  the  Jews, 
about  possessions;  and  believed 
them  in  the  gross  literal  sense." 

Our  readers  will  excuse  us, 
if,  for  the  sake  of  making  a 
brief  summary  of  doctrines  held 
by  Unitarians,  as  exhibited  in 
the  preceding  extracts,  we  give 
the  substance  of  the  several  arti- 
cles by  way  of  recapitulation. 
Unitarians  hold  and  teach,  then, 

That  God  has  placed  man  in 
circumstances  of  frailty  and  dan- 
ger, the  natural  consequence  of 
which  is  the  contraction  of  a  cer- 
tain degree  of  moral  pollution, 
which  exposes  them  to  a  propor- 


tionate degree  of  misery  here  or 
hereafter; 

That  there  is  a  very  great 
preponderance  of  virtue  over 
vice  in  the  world;  and  with  few, 
if  any,  exceptions,  in  every  indi- 
vidual; 

That  the  proportion  of  virtu- 
ous habits  in  the  worst  charac- 
ters, exceeds  that  of  vicious 
ones; 

That  we  may  certainly  con- 
clude, from  our  own  reason,  that 
none  of  the  creatures  of  God 
will  ever  be  made  eternally  mis- 
erable; 

That  God  commissioned  Je- 
sus of  Nazareth  to  teach  the 
universal  resurrection  of  the 
dead,  and  by  his  own  resurrec- 
tion to  confirm  and  exemplify 
his  doctrine; 

That  the  wicked  will  be  rais- 
ed to  suffering,  with  the  same 
system  of  habits  and  feelings 
with  which  they  descended  to 
the  grave;  but  their  sufferings 
will  be  remedial,  and  will  ter- 
minate in  their  ultimate  restora- 
tion to  virtue  and  happiness; 

That  the  Holy  Spirit  was  noth- 
ing more  than  the  power  of 
working  miracles; 

That  regeneration,  and  the 
new  creation,  mean  only  the  con- 
version of  the  Gentiles  to  the 
profession  of  Christianity; 

That  as  the  Gentiles x  were 
converted  to  Christianity  by  the 
evidence  of  miracles,  this  new 
creation  was  in  this  sense  as- 
cribed to  the  Spirit  of  God; 

That  because  the  Gentiles 
were  admitted  to  enjoy  the  bles- 
sings of  the  new  dispensation, 
they  are  said  to  be  forgiven,  re- 
conciled and  saved; 

That  the  death  of  Jesus  is  call- 
ed a  firofiitiation   because  it  put 


Recapitulation  of  these  Creeds. 


an  end  to  the  Mosaic  economy; 
Tliat  it  is  called  a  sacrifice,  be- 
cause it  was  the  ratification  of  a 
new  covenant,  which  promised  a 
resurrection  to  immortal  life; 

That  believers  in  Christ  are 
said  to  have  redemption  by  his 
blood,  because  they  are  released 
from  the  yoke  of  the  ceremoni- 
al law,  and  the  bondage  of  idola- 
try; 

That  the  Scriptures  were  not 
written  under  a  plenary  inspira- 
tion; 

That  the  Sabbath  is  no  more 
holy  than  any  other  day;  and, 
consequently,  that  it  is  lawful  to 
do  the  same  things  on  that  day 
as  on  any  other; 

That  Christ  made  no  atone- 
ment for  sin,  in  any  sense  what- 
ever; 

That  the  great  object  of  Chris- 
tianity was  the  revelation  of  a  fu- 
ture life; 

That  whenever  Jesus,  or  his 
apostles,  deliver  opinions  on  sub- 
jects unconnected  with  the  ob- 
ject of  tiieir  mission,  their  opin- 
ions are  to  be  received  with  the 
same  caution  as  the  opinions  o£ 
other  persons; 

That  the  Scriptures  contain 
authentic  records  of  facts  and  of 
divine  interpositions,  but  were 
not  written  by  men  under  the 
constant  influence  of  inspiration; 
That  all  religious  homage 
paid  to  Christ  is  strictly  polythe- 
istical  and  idolatrous; 

That  Christ  was  no  more  than 
a  man; 

That  he  came  into  the  world 
with  alt  the  frailties  and  infirmi- 
ties of  a  human  being,  moral  as 
well  as  physical,  and  his  perfect 
moral  character  was  formed  by 
his  own  exertion,  vigilance,  and 
fortitude,  without  supernatural 
aid; 


That  after  his  resurrection  he 
was  miraculously  withdrawn 
from  his  disciples,  which  was 
described  as  an  ascension  to 
Heaven;  but  we  know  not  where 
he  resides  now,  and  ought  not  to 
feel  gratitude  to  him  for  favors 
now  received,  nor  to  expect  his 
future  interposition  in  our  be- 
half; and 

That,  on  the  subject  of  de- 
moniacal possessions  in  particu- 
lar, he,  like  the  mass  of  his  na- 
tion was  involved  in  gross  dark- 
ness, and  actually  believed  that 
to  be  true,  which  the  wisdom  of 
modern  times  has  discovered  to 
be  false. 

Such     is     the     Unitarianism 
which   Mr.   Belsham    wishes   to 
propagate,  and  of  which  he  pro- 
fesses to  write  the   history;    so 
far,    at    least,    as    relates   to  its 
progress    in    this    country.     Of 
the  existence  of  such  Unitarian- 
ism, in  the    metropolis   of  New 
England,  our  readers   have  gen- 
erally been  well  persuaded;  but 
some  have  not   believed    that   it 
was    making    any    considerable 
progress,    because    they    could 
not    persuade    themselves    that 
men,  occupying   important   pla- 
ces in    church    and    state,    and 
standing  high  in  the  public  esti- 
mation  were  capable  of  conceal- 
ing their  true  sentiments.     Oth- 
ers have  affected  not  to  believe, 
because  they  feared  the    conse- 
quences of  an  exposure  of  senti- 
ments so  very  diverse  from  those 
maintained  by  our  pious  fathers, 
and    still  cherished   by   a  great 
majority  of  pastors  and  church- 
es in  the  New    England    states. 
Some  of    out-  friends    at    a  dis- 
tance, who  sit  under  their  own 
vine  and  fig  tree  wiJiout  moles- 
tation, occasionally  feel,  that  our 
tears    respecting    the  efforts  t» 


8 


Necessity  of  Religious  Controversy. 


spread  Socinian  principles  are 
magnifi  d  beyond  measure,  in 
consequence  of  our  living  in  the 
centre  of  Unitarian  action.  We 
almost  envy  them  their  peace- 
ful undisturbed  lot.  One  of  the 
last  things,  which  a  Christian 
should  desire,  is,  to  be  called  to 
dispute  with  his  fellow  men, 
who  bear  the  Christian  name, 
respecting  that  blessed  religion, 
which  proclaims  fteace  on  earth, 
and  breathes,  good  will  to  man. 
Yet,  however  distressing  this 
duty  is,  and  however  exposed  to 
temptation  one  may  be  in  per- 
forming it;  there  are  times  when 
the  obligation  becomes  imperi- 
ous, to  contend  earnestly  for  the 
faith  once  delivered  to  the  saint.\; 
and  to  place  in  their  just  light 
the  efforts  of  those,  whom  we 
in  conscience  believe  to  be  real- 
ly striving  to  overturn  this  fi.-ith, 
whatever  they  may  suppose  to 
be  the  tendency  of  their  meas- 
ures. 

There  is  a  certain  class  of 
well-meaning  people,  who  are 
reluctant  to  enter  upon  any  con- 
troversial discussion,  and  who 
are  ready  to  say,  on  all  occasions, 
that  they  are  sory  to  see  reli- 
gious controversy.  These  per- 
sons ought  to  reflect  much  upon 
the  meaning  of  such  declara- 
tions. Do  they  intend,  that  the 
essential  truths  of  the  Gospel 
will  never  be  attacked;  or  that, 
if  attacked,  they  should  never 
be  defended;  or  that  there  are 
no  essential  truths  of  the  Gos- 
pel; or  that,  if  there  are  such 
truths,  it  is  impossible  to  ascer- 
tain what  they  are;  or  that  error 
will  die  of  itself,  if  never  expos- 
ed. If  they  will  assume  either 
of  these  positions,  they  will  find 
it  untenable.  They  ought  to 
consult  the  history  of  the  church, 


which  will  convince  them,  that 
the  purity  of  religion  has  never 
been  restored,  in  a  single  in- 
stance, without  religious  contro- 
versy; and  that  it  has  never 
been  preserved,  for  any  length 
of  time,  without  resorting  to  the 
same  means  of  defence.  We 
readily  admit,  that  there  has 
been  much  unnecessary,  and 
much  very  pernicious  contro- 
versy in  the  church;  that  long 
and  bitter  disputes  have  origina- 
ted on  trifling  occasions,  and 
been  conducted  with  unchristian 
feelings,  and  for  very  insufficient 
reasons,  on  both  sides.  All  this 
is  a  proof  ot  human  weakness 
and  depravity;  but  we  see  not 
how  it  tends  to  prove  that  all 
controversies  are  wrong,  as  it 
respects  all  the  contending  par- 
ties 

Political  disputes  have,  in  a 
vast  proportion  of  instances,  been 
the  means  of  incalculable  evil. 
Yet  who  supposes  it  to  be  wrong 
to  oppose  political  error?  Would 
not  the  suppression  of  all  politi- 
cal controversy  bring  the  world 
immediately  into  a  state  of  the 
most  abject  submission  to  the 
most  corrupt  and  despotic  rulers? 
The  fact  is,  that  important  truth 
of  every  kind,  whether  scientific, 
political,  moral,  or  religious, 
must  be  taught  and  defended;  but 
particularly  religious  truth;  for 
the  natural  feelings  of  men  are 
much  more  opposed  to  this,  than 
to  truth  of  any  other  kind  We 
are  far  from  considering  contro- 
versy of  any  sort  as  in  itself  de- 
sirable; we  are  far  from  justify- 
ing a  disputatious  temper,  or  en- 
couraging dogmatical  habits;  we 
could  earnestly  wish,  indeed, 
that  the  Christian  world  were 
immediately  freed  from  all  occa- 
sion of  controversy.     The    tinjc 


Necessity  of  Religious  Controversy. 


will  come  when  controversy  shall 
cease;  but  this  time  will  not  be 
hastened  by  the  timid  counsels 
of  those,  who  would  suffer  the 
abettors  of  false  doctrine  to  re- 
peat their  assertions  and  their 
sophistry  without  examination 
and  without  an  answer.  Con- 
troversy will  only  cease  by  the 
universal  reception  of  the  truth, 
not  by  a  complaisant  deference 
to  be  exercised  by  the  friends  of 
truth  to  the  promoters  of  all 
lands  of  error.  One  great  com- 
plaint of  the  Papists  against  the 
leading  Protestants,  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  Reformation, 
was,  that  they  introduced  the 
terrible  evil  of  religious  contro- 
versy. What  would  have  become 
of^th'e  Reformation,  if  that  com- 
plaint had  been  admitted  as  valid, 
and  the  Reformers  had  shut 
their  mouths  and  thrown  away 
their  pens?  It  may  be  confidently 
affirmed,  that  Luther,  Calvin, 
and  Zuinglius,  with  the  word  of 
God  in  their  hands  and  the  love 
of  God  in  their  hearts,  did  mere 
good  in  a  few  years,  by  entering 
boldly  into  the  lists  of  theologi- 
cal controversy,  than  the  same 
men  with  all  their  great  talents 
could  have  done  in  fifty  centu- 
ries, (had  their  lives  been  thus 
prolonged,)  in  the  silent  course 
recommended  by  those,  who  af- 
fect to  decry  all  controversy. 
Is  not  the  truth  as  important  now 
as  it  was  at  the  era  of  the  Refor- 
mation? Is  not  Christ  as  pre-, 
cious  to  the  souls  of  believers 
now  as  he  was  then? 

Before  any  person  is  entitled 
to  stigmatize  a  controversial 
writing  as  useless  or  injurious, 
he  must  be  satisfied,  either  that 
their  is  no  occasion  for  it;  that 
it  relates  to  an  unimportant  sub- 
ject; that  it  defends  error  rather 


than  the  truth;  or  that  it  is  con- 
ducted in  an  unfair  manner,  or 
with  an  unchristian  temper-. 
When  a  controversy  can  be  truly 
described  as  liable  to  either  of 
these  objections,  we  will  not 
justify  it.  But  we  shall  always 
hold  in  high  honor  those  servants 
of  God,  who  have  it  in  their  pow- 
er to  employ  learning  and  talents 
not  only  in  teaching  the  truth, 
but  in  detecting  and  exposing 
the  absurdities  of  error. 

We  are  sincere  believers  in 
the  great  doctrines  of  the  Refor- 
mation; in  the  inspiration  of  the 
Holy  Scriptures;  in  the  unity  and 
perfections  of  the  Godhead;  in  the 
Supreme  divinity  of  the  Son  and 
Spirit;  in  the  atonement  and  in- 
tercession of  Christ;  in  the  native 
and  total  depravity  of  the  unre- 
generate;  and  in  the  reality  and 
necessity  of  special  divine  grace 
to  renew  and  sanctify  the  souls 
of  men,  that  they  may  be  capable 
of  participating  in  the  holy  enjoy- 
ments of  the  heavenly  world. 
These  points  do  not  constitute 
the  whole  of  our  creed,  but  they 
are  among  the  prominent  and 
fundamental  articles  of  it;  they 
are  points  in  which  we  differ 
essentially  from  Unitarians. 

Believing  conscientiously,  that 
these  doctrines  are  essential  to 
Christianity,  we  have  ever  felt 
it  to  be  our  duty  to  resist,  so 
far  as  lay  in  our  power,  every 
effort  to  supplant  them,  by  sub- 
stituting others,  which,  as  they 
appear  to  us,  can  neither  admin- 
ister present  comlort,  nor  lay 
any  just  foundation  for  future, 
hopes-  We  readily  concede, 
that  Christianity  in  any  form> 
even  in  that  of  Catholic  supersti- 
tion, or  the  lowest  Socinianism, 
is  preferable,  in  a  civil  point  of 
view,    to    Deism,   or    Atheism. 


10 


Unitctrianism  in  Massachusetts. 


Even  in  its  most  degraded  forms, 
Christianity  superadds  some- 
thing to  the  moral  restraints  of 
men;  and  impresses  in  some  de- 
gree the  doctrine  of  future  re- 
tribution. So  far  as  this  goes, 
it  is  an  advantage  to  the  commu- 
nity. But  so  far  as  the  vital, 
evangelical  spirit  of  Christianity 
is  rejected,  or  contemned,  just 
so  far  the  prospect  that  religion 
will  have  a  benign  influence  on 
society  is  obscured.  If  a  denial 
of  the  divinity  and  atonement  of 
the  Savior,  be  denying  the  Lord 
that  bought  us,  then,  whatever 
character  a  man  who  does  this 
may  sustain  among  his  fellow 
creatures,  in  the  sight  of  God 
he  is  an  unbeliever;  and  whatever 
may  be  the  degree  of  his  guilt 
and  punishment,  he  is  as  surely 
exposed  to  final  destruction,  as 
the  .Atheist* or  the  Deist. 

It  has  always  appeared  to  us, 
that  the  divinity  and  atom  ment 
of  the  Savior  are  essential  doc- 
trines in  the  Christian  System; 
not  as  subjects  of  speculation 
only,  but  as  practical  truths. 
Such  being  the  fact  we  cannot 
help  believing,  that  those,  who 
reject  and  contemn  these  doc- 
trines, have  not  a  fair  claim  to 
be  considered  as  standing  on 
Christian  ground.  It  is  a  sor- 
rowful thing  to  be  compelled  to 
say,  that  there  are  now  many 
persons,  in  the  capital  of  New 
England,  and  not  a  few  in  its 
vicinity,  who  utterly  reject  the 
doctrines  in  question,  and  many 
others,  essentially,  if  not  equally, 
important.  The  Pamphlet  be- 
fore us  offers  evidence  on  tiiis 
subject,  which  it  is  impossible 
to  mistake. 

Had  the  facts,  which  this  pam- 
phlet discloses,  been  stated  on 
the    authority   of    an    orthodox. 


man,  we  should  doubtless  have 
been  met  at  the  threshold,   with 
the   allegation    of    "party    spirit 
and  misrepresentation."     No  or- 
thodox    man    could    ever    have 
hoped  for  such  materials  to  com- 
pile a  history  as  are   here   pre- 
sented.     The     writer    has     not. 
gathered  his  information  from  a 
hasty    survey    of    the     exterior 
of    the    temple,    which    he    de- 
scribes;  he    has   had    access,  as 
high  priest  of  his  order,  to  the 
very  interior    recesses,  and  has 
exposed  to  view  the  most  secret 
transactions  of  those,  who  are  in- 
itiated into  the    worship    which 
he  approves.     He  has  shewn  us, 
that   like    the    Grecian   philoso- 
phers of  old,  many  of  his  order, 
in  our  country,  would  have  one 
Religion    for   the    vulgar,  and  a- 
nother  for  the  wise;   that  it  is  a 
fundamental    maxim  among  the 
great  body  of  leading  Unitarians 
here,  not  to  expose  their  senti- 
ments directly  to  the  inspectioa 
of  the  world  at  large,  and  to  chal- 
lenge investigation,  but  to  oper- 
ate in  secret;    to  entrust  only  the 
initiated    with   their     measures; 
and    to  leave    the   vulgar  to  fall 
into    the   tracks  of  the  wise,  by 
the  force  of  that  principle  of  im- 
itation which  is  capable  of  oper- 
ating so    powerfully  upon  them. 
Our  own  convictions  respect- 
ing the  nature   of  Unitarianism 
in  Massachusetts,  aud  the  man- 
ner in  which  the  cause  is   pro- 
moted, are   not   altered    by    the 
pamphlet  before  us.     Living  in 
the    centre   of  action,   we    have 
long  had  these  convictions.    The 
Monthly    Anthology;    the    man- 
gled    Christian     Monitor;     the 
Hymns  and  Psalms  of  Mr.  Buck- 
minster  and   Mr.  Emerson;    the 
reply  of  Belshan:  to  WUberforce 
and  to  Dr.  J.  P.  Smith;   the  Im- 


Unitarianism.  in  Massachusetts. 


li 


proved  Version  of  the  New  Tes- 
tament; all  published  in  Boston; 
and  especially  the  General  Re- 
pository, published  at  Cam- 
bridge, by  some  of  the  Officers 
t)f  Harvard  College,  afford  suffi- 
cient evidence,  without  detailing 
other  circumstances,  of  a  settled 
and  persevering  determination 
to  prostrate  orthodoxy,  and  to 
substitute  Unitarianism  in  its 
place.  But  the  evidence  now 
before  us  is  in  some  respects 
more  important  than  any  which 
lias  preceded  it;  as  it  is  compris- 
ed within  a  small  compass,  is 
easily  obtained,  and  is  supported 
by  the  names  of  some  of  the 
principal  parties  concerned. 

The  Society  which  claims  the 
honor  of  taking  the  lead,  in  the 
great  work  of  reformation  in  our 
country,  is,  according  to  our  his- 
torian, that    which  meets  at   the 
Stone  Chapel  in  Boston;  and  Dr. 
Freeman,  it  seems,  claims  to  be 
considered   as  at  the    bottom  of 
all   the  revolutions,  which    have 
taken  place  there.     So  early   as 
the  year  1786,  Dr.  Freeman  had 
persuaded  his  churc'.,  to  adopt  a 
Liturgy,      which     the     Rev.    J. 
Smith,  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Lindsey, 
describes  as   "perfectly  Unitari- 
an,"    (p.    11.)       Dr.-  Freeman, 
however,  in  a   letter,   dated   the 
same    year,    tells  Mr.    Lindsey, 
that   "some    defects  and  impro- 
prieties are  stili  retained,  for  the 
sake  of  indu  ing  them,  (his  con- 
gregation,) to  omit  the  most  ex- 
ceptionable parts  of  the  old  ser- 
vice,  the    Athanasian   prayers." 
(p.    18.)     In    1811,   however,    a 
new   edition  of  his  Liturgy  was 
published    by      Dr.      Freeman, 
which,  "with  a  very  few    altera- 
tions    chiefly   verbal,  might   be 
made,"  says  Mr.  Belsham,  "per- 
fectly unexceptionable."  p.  12. 


Dr.  Freeman,  it  seems,  was 
unable,  on  account  of  his  hereti- 
cal senuments,  to  obtain  Episco- 
pal ordination.  This  misfortune 
was  obviated,  however,  by  his 
congregation,  who,  it  should  be 
remembered,  still  professed  UK 
be  Episcopalians.  They  ordain- 
ed him  themselves,  on  Sunday 
the  18th  of  Nov.  1787. 

Shortly  after,  a  circumstance 
happened,  which  as  Dr.  F.  de- 
clares in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Lindsey, 
tended  very  much  to  satisfy  the 
minds  of  his  people,  respecting 
the  manner  of  his  ordination. 

"  "I  mentioned  in  a  former  letter,  that. 
Bishop  Seabury  hatl  ordained  a  priest  in 
Boston.  The  members  of  my  congrega- 
tion in  general  attended.  They  were  so 
shocked  with  the  service,  particularly 
with  that  part  where  the  bishop  pretends 
to  communicate  the  Holy  Ghost  and  the 
power  of  forgiving  si:is  which  he  accom- 
panied with  the  action  of  breathing  on  the 
candidate,  that  they  now  congratulate  me 
upon  having  escaped  what  they  consider 
as  little  short  ot  blasphemy.  Few  of  them 
had  ever  read,  or  at  least  attentively  con- 
sidered, the  Ordination  service.  Since 
they  have  heard  it,  I  have  frequently 
been  seriously  asked  by  them,  whether  I 
would  have  submitted  to  so  absurd  a  form. 
1  confess  that  I  am  convinced  I  should  have 
acted  wrong  if  I  had  done  it.  I  shudder 
when  1  reflect  to  what  moral  danger  lex- 
posed  myself  in  soliciting  ordination  of  the 
American  bishops,  for  I  certainly  never 
believed  that  they  had  the  power  of  con- 
veying the  Holy  Spirit."  "  pp.  14,  15. 

Thus  much  for  the  history  of 
Unitarianism  at  the  Stone  Chap- 
el. This  congregation  is  after- 
wards described  in  the  pamphlet, 
as  being  the  only  one  of  fir oj eas- 
ed Unitarians  in  New  England. 
We  must  say,  that  the  conduct 
ot  this  Society  and  of  their  min- 
ister, in  coming  out  openlv,  and 
avowing  their  sentiments  to  the 
world,  is  vastly  preferable  to 
a  hypocritical  concealment  of 
them.  Had  other  societies  fol- 
loAVcd  their  example,  we  shoutc1 


12 


Extract  from  Dr.  Freeman's  Letter. 


Jong  since  have  known  with 
whom  we  were  contending;  and 
not  have  been  obliged  to  guard 
against  ambushes,  instead  of 
combating  in  the  open  held. 

From  Dr.  Freeman,  so  open 
and  ingenuous  in  the  profession 
of  his  sentiments,  much  of  the 
information  in  our  historical 
pamphlet  is  derived,  as  to  tlie 
progress  of  Unitarianism  in 
America.  This  father  and  apos- 
tk  ui  ine  sect  in  question,  in  this 
country,  seems  to  be  more  deep- 
ly interested,  and  better  inform- 
ed on  the  subject,  than  any  other 
man,  who  appears  in  Mr.  Bei- 
sham's  pages.  From  him  we 
learn, that  in  1789,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  labors  of  Mr. 
Hazhit  among  the  Boston  cler- 
gy, there  were  already  "many 
churches  in  which  the  worship 
was  strictly  Unitarian  .*  p.  12. 
Mote- 

The  method  in  which  Dr.  F. 
and  others  labor  to  propagate 
Unitarianism  is  thus  graphically 
delineated,  in  a  letter  to  Mr. 
Lindsey,  written  as  it  would 
seem,  in  1796,  or  J 797- 

"  "I  consider  it,"  says  this  intelligent 
correspondent  to  his  venerable  friend,  "as 
one  of  the  most  happy  effects  which  have 
resulted  from  my  feeble  exertions  in  the 
Unitarian  cause,  that  they  have  introduced 
me  to  the  knowledge  and  friendship  of 
some  of  the  most  valuable  characters  of 
the  present  age;  men  of  enlightened 
heads,  of  pious  and  benevolent  hearts; 
quibuscumvivere  amem,  quibusatm  obire 
lebens. 

""Though  it  is  a  standing  article  of 
most  of  our  socinl  libraries,  that  nothing  of 
a  controversial  nature  should  be  purchas- 
ed, jet  any  book  which  is  presented  is 
freely  accepted.  I  have  found  means, 
therefore,  of  introducing  into  them  some 
of  the  Unitarian  Tracts  with  which  vou 
have  kindly  famished  inc.  There  "aie 
few  persons  who  hare  not  read  them 
with  avidity;  and  when  read,  they  cannot 
fail  to  make  an  impression  upon  the 
minds  of  many.  From  these  and  other 
causes,  the  Unitarian  doc  A  ine  appears  to 


be  still  upon  the  increase.  I  am  acquaint- 
ed with  a  number  of  ministers,  particular- 
ly in  the  southern  part  ot  this  state, 
who  avow  and  publicly  preach  this  senti- 
ment. There  are  others  more  cautious, 
who  content  themselves  with  leading 
their  hearers,  by  a  course  of  rational  but 
prudent  sermons,  gradually  and  insensibly 
to  embrace  it.  Though  this  latter  mode 
is  not  w  hat  I  entirely  approve,  yet  it  pro- 
duces good  effects.  For  the  people  are 
thus  kept  out  of  the  reach  of  false  opinions, 
and  are  prepared  for  the  impressions 
which  will  be  made  on  them  by  more  bold 
and  ardent  successors,  who  will  probably 
be  raised  up  w  hen  these  timid  characters 
are  removed  off  the  stage.  In  the  eastern 
part  of  this  State,  or  what  is  called  the 
District  of  Maine,  the  Unitarian  doctrine 
also  makes  progress,  as  I  have  just  been 
informed  by  a  worthy  and  judicious  min- 
ister from  that  quarter.  The  Clergy  are 
generally  the  first  who  begin  to  speculate: 
but  the  people  soon  follow,  where  they  are 
so  much  accustomed  to  read  and  inquire. 
""In  the  accounts  which  I  give  you  of 
the  state  of  religious  opinions  in  this  coun- 
try, I  always  endeavor  not  to  exaggerate, 
sensible  that  every  zealous  man  (and  I 
confess  that  I  am  zealous)  is  naturally  dis- 
posed to  rate  his  own  party  aa  highly  as 
he  can.  It  is  possible  that  Unitarianism 
may  be  losing  ground  in  one  quarter  while 
it  is  gaining  it  in  another,  and  that  I  may 
not  perceive  or  may  not  attend  to  the 
former.  Indeed,  I  confess  and  lament 
that  the  opinion  is  scarcely  known  in  the 
largest  part  of  this  vast  Republic.  It 
flourishes  chiefly  in  New  England;  but  not 
much  in  Connecticut,  Rhode  Island,  New 
Hampshire,  and  the  western  counties  of 
Massachusetts.  A  few  seeds  have  been 
sown  in  \  ermont,  and  an  abundant  harvest 
has  been  produced  in  the  vicinity  of  Bos- 
ton and  the  counties  directly  south  of  it. 
In  Pennsylvania,  much  may  be  expected 
from  the  labors  of  Dr.  Priestley." " 
pp.  2'2,  23. 

How  far  the  sentiments  in 
question  have  spread  in  Boston, 
has  been  often  a  subject  of  in- 
quiry, and  not  unlicquently  of 
debate.  Mr.  Belsham  will  in- 
form us.  "If,"  says  he,  "I  am 
not  greatly  misinformed,  divine 
worship  in  many  of  the  principal 
churches  at  Jloston,\s  carried  on 
upon  principles  strictly,  if  not 
avowedly,  Unitarian."  p.  38. 

If  any  thing  be  lacking  in  Mr. 
Bclsham's  account,  it   is  suppli- 


loiter  of  William  Wdls,jun.  Esq. 


13 


ed  in  a  letter  to  him  by  William 
Wells,  Esq.  of  Boston,  a  gentle- 
man, who,  from  his  extensive  ac- 
quaintance with  books  and  men, 
and  his  distinguished  zeal  in  the 
cause  of  Unitarianism,  may  well 
be  supposed  to  give  us  as  exact 
a  picture,  as  any  man  living  could 
draw.  We  print  the  whole  let- 
ter, as  we  shall  have  occasion  to 
refer  to  it  on  various  subjects. 

"letter 

From  William  Wells,  Esq.  of  Boston,  in 

JVeju  England,  to  the  Author. 

"Boston,  March  21,  1812. 
"JVly  dear  Sir, 

I  am  glad  to  hear  you  received  the  Ser- 
mons safe.  About  six  weeks  ago  I  for- 
warded to  Mr.  Freme  a  parcel  for  you, 
containing  the  first  No.  of  "The  General 
Repository  and  Review."  For  this  you 
are  indebted  to  Mr.  B.  I  think  a  letter 
from  him  accompanied  the  Review,  hut 
am  not  sure,  as  I  look  no  memorandum 
of  the  contents  of  the  parcel.  A  second 
number  will  shortly  appear,  which  shall 
be  forwarded  by  the  earliest  opportunity. 
I  believe  I  mentioned  in  my  last  the  name 
of  the  Editor,  Mr.  Norton  an  excellent 
young  man.  Of  his  abilities  you  will  be 
able  to  judge.  I  think  the  first  article, 
and  the  Review  of  the  Horsleian  and 
Prieslleian  controversy  display  a  sound- 
ness of  judgment  which  at  his  age  is  rare. 
A  number  of  young  men  who  have  taken 
their  bachelor's  degree  now  reside  at 
Cambridge  as  theological  students.  Sev- 
eral of  them  are  the  sons  of  men  of  for- 
tune; some,  as  far  as  1  can  judge,  of  supe- 
rior talents;  and  all  are  pursuing  their  pro- 
fessional studies  with  a  zeal  which  is  well 
directed  by  the  very  worthy  and  learned 
Dr.  Ware,  professor  of  divinity,  and  Dr. 
Kirkland  the  president,  and  an  honesty 
which  is  entirely  unfettered  and  unbiassed 
by  any  system  whatever.  We  have  to 
contend  here,  as  you  in  England,  for  the 
first  principles  of  protestantism,  but  I  see 
no  reason  to  fear  that  the  ensuing  gener- 
ation will  be  destitute  of  able  champions 
for  the  light  of  private  judgment. 

"With  regard  to  the  progress  of  Unita- 
rianism, I  have  but  little  to  say.  Its  ten- 
ets have  spread  very  extensively  in 
New  England,  but  I  believe  there  is  only 
one  Church  professedly  Unitarian.  The 
Churches  at  Portland  and  Saco,  of  which 
you  speak,  hardly  ever  saw  the  light,  and 
*xist  no  longer.  The  Mr.  Thatcher,  who 
waa  formerly  a  Member  of  C. ingress,  and 
'he  Judge  T.  whom    Mr.  Merrick  nieu= 


tions,  are  the  same.  He  is  one  of  the 
Judges  of  our  Supreme  Court,  an  excel- 
lent man  and  most  zealous  Unitarian.  He 
is  now  on  the  circuit  in  this  tovn,  and 
tells  me  he  is  obliged  on  Sunday  to  stay 
at  home^  or  to  hear  a  Calvinist  Minister. 
He  is  no  relation  to  our  friend. 

"Most  of  our  Boston  Clergy  and  re- 
spectable layman  (of  whom  we  have  many- 
enlightened  theologians)  are  Unitarian. 
Nor  do  they  think  it  at  all  necessary  to 
conceal  their  sentiments  upon  these  sub- 
jects, but  express  them  without  the  least 
hesitation  when  they  judge  it  proper.  >£ 
may  safely  say,  the  general  habit  of  think- 
ing and  speaking  upon  this  question  in 
Boston,  is  Unitarian.  At  the  same  time 
the  controversy  is  seldom  or  never  intro- 
duced into  the  pulpit.  I  except  the 
Chapel  Church.  If  publications  make 
their  appearance  attacking  Unitarian  sen- 
timents, they  are  commonly  answered 
with  spirit  and  ability;  but  the  majority 
of  those  who  are  Unitarian  are  perhaps  of 
these  sentiments  .  without  any  distinct 
consciousness  of  being  so.  Like  the  first 
Christians,  finding  no  sentiments  but  those 
in  the  N.  T.  and  not  accustomed  to  hear 
the  language  of  the  N.  T.  strained  and 
warped  by  theological  system-makers, 
they  adopt  naturally  a  just  mode  of  think- 
ing. This  state  of  things  appears  to  me 
so  favorable  to  the  dissemination  of  cor- 
rect sentiments,  that  I  should  perhaps  re- 
gret a  great  degree  of  excitement  in  the 
public  mind  upon  these  subjects.  The 
majority  would  eventually  be  against  us. 
The  ignorant,  the  violent,  the  ambitious 
and  the  cunning,  would  cany  the  multi- 
tude with  them  in  religion  as  they  do  in 
politics.  One  Dr.  M.  in  a  contest  for 
spreading  his  own  sentiments  among  the 
great  body  of  the  people,  would  at  least., 
for  a  time,  beat  ten  Priestleys.  Not  to 
dwell  upon  the  consideration,  that  Unita-  * 

nanism  consists  rather  in  not  believing; 
and  that  it  is  more  easy  to  gain  proselytes 
to  absurd  opinions,  than  to  make  them 
zealous  in  refusing  to  believe.  With 
what  arms,  when  the  oi  m-oxxoi  are  (he 
judges,  can  virtue  and  learning  and  honor 
contend  with  craft  and  cunning  and  equiv- 
ocation and  falsehood  and  intolerant  zeal? 
Learning  is  worse  than  useless,  virtue  is- 
oflen  diffident  of  her  own  conclusions, 
and,  at  any  rate,  more  anxious  to  render 
men  good  Christians,  than  to  make  there 
Christians  of  her  own  denomination;  ami 
that  self-respect,  which  is  the  companion 
of  virtue,  disdains  to  meet  the  low  cun- 
ning of  her  adversaries,  or  to  flatter  the 
low  prejudices  of  her  judges.  I  think 
then  it  must  be  assumed  as  an  axiom,  that 
a  persevering  controversy  uiion  this  ques- 
tion, would  render  the  multitude  bigoted 
and  persecuting  Calviuists.    Then  coine 


14 


Dr.  Priestley's  Letter. 


systems  and  catechisms  in  abundance. 
Every  conceited  deacon,  every  parishion- 
er who  has,  or  thinks  he  has,  a  smatter- 
ing in  theology,  becomes  the  inquisitor  of 
his  pastor.  In  such  circumstances  learn- 
ing and  good  sense  have  no  chance.  They 
exumot  be  heard. 

"The  violent  party  here  have  chosen 
to  meet  their  opponents  upon  very  unfa- 
vorable ground.  Instead  of  making  it  a 
cause  of  orthodoxy  against  heresy,  they 
have  very  unwisely  preferred  to  insist  up- 
on a  subscription  to  articles  of  faith.  This 
has  given  great  offence  to  many  who  are 
disposed  to  be  in  favor  of  their  creed,  and 
thrown  them  into  the  opposite  scale.  Dr. 
Osgood  is  really  orthodox  in  sentiment, 
but  a  noble  and  determined  supporter  of 
the  right  of  private  judgment,  and  on  the 
best  possible  terms  with  our  Boston 
friends.  This  is  also  the  case  with  the 
venerable  Dr.  Lathrop  of  West-Spring- 
field, Mr.  Palmer's  friend,  and  many 
others.  In  short  we  are  now  contending 
for  the  liberty  of  being  Protestants.  If 
we  can  persuade  the  people  (and  we  stand 
upon  advantageous  ground)  that  we  have 
the  right  to  think  upon  religious  subjects 
as  our  consciences  and  the  Scriptures  di- 
rect, things  will  go  on  well.  Learning, 
good  sense,  and  virtue,  will  then  produce 
their  natural  effects,  and  just  modes  of 
thinking  upon  subjects  of  this  nature,  as 
upon  all  others,  will  necessarily  prevail. 

"Will  you,  my  dear  Sir,  excuse  unin- 
tentional prolixity?  I  do  not  know  that 
vou  will  approve  my  sentiments,  nor  am 
I  very  confident  of  their  justness;  but  I 
have  seen  the  contest  between  truth  and 
falsehood,  before  the  multitude;  between 
every  thing  which  is  respectable  and  eve- 
ry thing  which  is  detestable,  so  unequal  in 
politics,  that  T  dread  the  event  in  matters 
',(  religion.  Still  I  would  be  no  advocate 
for  timidity,  much  less  for  any  thing  like 
equivocation,  or  evasion;  and  it  must  be 
confessed  that  prudence  often  degenerates 
into  these  vices.  1  am,  dear  Sir,  with  the 
greatest  esteem,  yours  affectionately, 
W.  WtLLS,  Jur.    pp.  43—46. 

Such  is  the  testimony  in  the 
case  under  consideration;  and 
we  presume  that  no  man,  in  his 
senses,  will  hesitate  for  a  mo- 
ment to  give  implicit  credit  '.o 
such  witnesses.  VVc  shall  feel 
ourselves  warranted  hereafter, 
to  speak  of  the  fact  as  certain, 
that  Unitarianism  is  the  predom- 
inant religion  among  the  minis- 
ters and  churches  of  iioslon. 


In  the  District  of  Maine,  Mr. 
Belsham  states,  from  his  corres- 
pondent Dr.  Freeman,  that  high 
hopes  were  entertained  of  the 
spread  of  Unitarian  principles. 
Churches  were  established  in 
Portland  by  the  labors  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Oxnard,  and  in  Saco 
by  the  zeal  of  Mr.  (now  judge) 
Thatcher.  These  hopes,  how- 
ever, were  premature,  as  it 
appears  by  the  letter  of  Mr. 
Wells. 

New  York  and  Philadelphia 
were  also  considered  by  Dr. 
Priestley,  when  he  first  came  to 
this  country,  as  affording  great 
promises  of  an  abundant  harvest. 
Thus  he  writes  to  Mr.   Lindsey. 

"jYe-w  Yorh,  June  15,  1794. 
'With  respect  to  myselt  the  differ- 
ence is  great  indeed.  In  England  1  was 
an  object  of  the  greatest  aversion  to 
every  person  connected  with  govern- 
ment; whereas  here  they  are  those  who 
show  me  the  most  respect.  With  you 
the"  Episcopal  Church  is  above  every 
thing.  In  this  city  it  makes  a  decent  fig- 
ure, but  the  Presbyterians  are  much 
a'love  them,  and  the  Governor  (Clinton,) 
who  is  particularly  attentive  to  me,  goes 
to  the  meeting-liouse. 

"But  *he  preachers,  though  all,  civil  to 
me,  look  upon  me  with  dread,  and  none 
of  them  has  asked  me  to  preach  in  their 
pulpits.  This  however  does  them  no  good. 
Several  persons  express  a  wish  to  hear 
me,  and  are  ashamed  of  the  illiberality  of 
the  preachers,  and  some  are  avowed  Uni- 
tarians, so  that  I  am  fully  persuaded  an 
Unitarian  minister,  of  prudence  and  good 
sense,  might  do  very  well  here.  If  I  were 
here  a  Sunday  or  two  more  1  would  make 
a  beginning,  and  I  intend  to  return  for 
this  purpose.  The  greatest  difficulty  arises 
from  the  indifference  of  liberal-minded 
men  as  to  religion  in  general;  they  are  so 
much  occupied  with  commerce  and  poli- 
tics. One  man  of  proper  spirit  would  be 
sufficient  to  establish  a  solid  Unitarian  in- 
terest; and  I  am  persuaded  it,  will  soon  be 
done.  As  1  am  much  attended  to,  and 
my  writings,  which  are  in  a  manner  un- 
known here,  begin  to  be  inquired  after,  1 
will  get  my  small  pamphlets  immediaiely 
printed  here;  and  wherever  1  can  get  an 
invitation  to  preach  1  will  go.  With  this 
view  I  shall  carefully  avoid  all  the  party 
politics  of  the  country,  and  have  no  other 


Cases  of  Mr.  Abbot  and  Mr.  Sherman. 


15 


object  besides  religion  and  philosophy. 
Philadelphia  will  be  a  more  favorable  sit- 
uation than  this,  and  there  I  shall  make  a 
beginning.  It  will  be  better,  however,  to 
wait  a  little  time,  and  not  show  much  zeal 
at  the  first;  and  as  my  coining  here  is 
much  talked  of,  I  .-hall  reprint  my  Past 
and  Pareweil  Sermons.        • 

"I  have  written  to  Air.  Belsham,  whom 
I  hope,  some  time  or  other,  to  draw 
hither.  He  will  tell  you  my  scheme,  lint 
as  1  am  soon  going  to  Philadelphia,  I  shall 
soon  know  more  un  the  subject. 

"I  was  never  more  mortified  than  I 
now  am  at  not  having  with  me  any  of  iny 
small  tracts  in  defence  of  the  divine  unity, 
as  my  being  here  leads  many  persons  to 
wish  to  read  what  I  have  written  on  the 
subject. — I  bhall  reprint  them,  and  I  flat- 
ter myself  they  will  produce  a  considera- 
ble effect.  Indeed  my  c  lining  hither 
promises  to  be  of  much  more  service  to 
our  cause  than  I  had  imagined.  But  time 
is  necessary,  and  I  am  apt  to  be  too  pre- 
cipitate. I  want  your  cool  judgment.  You 
waited  patiehtly  a  long  time  in  London; 
but  what  au  abundant  harvest  have  you 
had  there.     J.  Priestlet."     pp.  47,  48. 

How  well  these  ardent  expec- 
tations were  fulfilled  Mr.  Bel- 
sham informs  us. 

"Dr.  Priestley's  personal  ministry  in 
the  United  Stales  was  attended  with  very 
litlie  apparent  success.  In  Northumber- 
land, where  he  resided,  he  collected  but 
lew  proselytes;  and  in  Philadelphia,  where 
the  chapel  in  which  he  preached  was  at 
first  crowded  w  ith  the  principal  characters 
in  the  United  States,  he  was  afterwards 
for  some  reason  or  other  almost  deserted. 
Yet  here  his  labors  were  not  wholly  inef- 
fectual. Since  Dr.  Priestley's  decease  a 
small,  but  highly  respectable  congrega- 
tion, has  been  formed,  in  which,  till  a 
regular  minister  can  he  procured,  a  few 
of  the  most  intelligent  and  best  informed 
members  conduct  the  service  by  turns; 
and  the  society,  upon  the  whole,  is  in- 
creasing, though  some,  who  once  professed 
zeal  in  the  cause,  have  turned  their  backa 
«pon  it.  The  Unitarians  in  Philadelphia 
are  now  erecting  a  chapel  for  religious  wor- 
ship, to  which  many  of  different  persuasions 
have  contributed  liberally."    pp.  £5, 24, 

In  Connecticut,  that  land  of 
steady  habits,  Unitarianism  has 
had  poor  success.  Two  minis- 
ters, the  Rev.  J.  Sherman,  and 
the  Rev.  A.  Abbot,  who  endeav- 


ored to  make  disciples  there  to 
the  sect  in  question,  were  both 
obliged  to  separate  from  their 
charges.  Mr.  Belsham  has  in- 
troduced a  long  account  of  the 
persecution,  (as  he  is  pleased  to 
consider  it)  of  these  two  "worthy- 
confessors."  We  shall  not  enter 
upon  the  examination  of  these 
cases  at  present-  We  refer  our 
readers  for  the  examination  of 
Mr.  A.*s  case  to  the  Panoplist 
for  August,  1812,  p.  U8,  where 
they  will  find  an  ample  leviewof 
it.  Mr.  Sherman's  case  is  quite 
as  unfortunate  for  Mr.  B.'s  cause. 
Mr.  S.  was  dismissed,  not  by  a 
Consociation,  or  an  ex-parte 
council;  but  by  a  Mutual  Coun- 
cil; by  men  whom  he  himself 
considered  as  favoring  his  cause. 
On  some  of  the  reflections  which 
Mr.  B.  makes,  with  regard  to 
his  dismission,  we  shall  have 
occasion  again  to  touch.  We 
shall  dismiss  the  case  at  present, 
with  advising  Mr.  B  ,  before  he 
bestows  the  honors  of  martyr- 
dom again,  to  wait  until  the 
martyr  has  had  time  to  evince 
the  stability  of  his  profession. 

Of  Mr.  S.  we  are  altogether 
disposed  to  speak  with  tender- 
ness. We  have  always  greatly 
lamented  his  fall.  He  was  an 
amiable  man,  and  possessed  re- 
spectable talents.  But  we  be- 
lieve that  Unitarians  themselves 
are  not  much  gratified  with  his 
present  standing. 

Nothing  but  the  merest  spirit 
of  party  could  ever  have  laid 
hold  of  the  cases  of  Mr.  Abbot 
and  Mr.  Sherman,  as  subjects 
of  complaint.  Nothing  but  a 
partial,  colored,  mangled  state- 
ment of  their  cases,  could  be  of 
any  avail  to  the  Unitarian  cause. 
After  all  the  means,  which  are 
before  the  public,   of  becoming 


16 


Ordinations  at  Boston. 


acquainted  with  the  merits  of 
these  cases,  we  think  it  to  be 
unnecessary  to  dwell  any  longer 
upon  the  subject. 

Mr.  Belsham  informs  us,  that 
a  Unitarian  congregation  has 
been  formed  at  Oldenbarneveld, 
in  the  State  of  New  York  Mr. 
Sherman  was  their  first  minis- 
ter. He  was,  however,  dismiss- 
ed before  long;  and  the  congre- 
gation was  fast  dwindling  away, 
when  Mr.  Belsham's  book  was 
written. 

Mr.  B.  wrote  too  early  to 
communicate  some  other  curi- 
ous information,  on  the  subject 
of  Unitarianism  in  the  western 
part  of  the  State  of  New  York. 
We  will  supply  the  defect. 
Within  two  years,  two  Unitarian 
ministers,  unable  to  procure  or- 
dination from  the  clergy  in  that 
■vicinity,  have  been  ordained  by 
some  of  the  ministers  of  Boston, 
and  others  in  its  vicinity,  over 
Oldenbarneveld,  and  Canandai- 
gua. 

One  of  these  ordinations  took 
place  lateJy  in  Boston;  the  other 
a  year  or  two  since  in  the  neigh- 
borhood. This  is  rather  a  new 
practice  in  our  country;  but  it 
has  some  recommendations.  'It 
saves  much  expense  and  time. 
A  few  years  since,  it  was  cus- 
tomary fur  Unitarian  candidates, 
who  were  desirous  of  obtaining 
a  settlement  without  exposing 
themselves  to  the  scrutiny  of  or- 
thodox clergymen,  to  send  from 
distant  places  to  Boston  and  the 
vicinity  for  an  ordaining  coun- 
cil. All  this  was  attended  with 
trouble,  and  was,  besides,  calcu- 
lated to  excite  inquiry  and  dis- 
trust. But  now,  if  a  Unitarian 
candidate  wishes  to  be  ordained, 
whether  he  thinks  it  proper  to 
avow  his  scniments   or  not,   he 


can  take  a  journey  to  Boston, 
where  an  ordaining  council  can 
be  found  without  the  least  incon- 
venience. If  some  members  of 
the  congregation,  not  under- 
standing the  reason  of  so  novel  a 
proceeding,  should  require  an 
explanation,  it  will  be  easy  to 
say,  that  there  is  no  place  in  the 
world,  where  so  venerable,  and 
wise,  and  learned,  and  liberal  a 
council  can  be  formed  as  in  Bos- 
ton. Our  readers  may  be  sur- 
prised at  the  measure  here  de- 
scribed: but  we  have  long  since 
ceased  to  be  surprised  at  any 
measure,  which  could  propagate 
the  principles  in  question. 

We  must  now  come  to  a  sub- 
ject on  which  we  should  not 
touch  without  mature  considera- 
tion. We  mean  the  propaga- 
tion of  Unitarianism  in  Harvard 
College.  We  are  fully  sensible 
of  the  delicacy  of  the  subject. 
That  this  noble  institution  has 
laid  fast  hold  of  the  affections  of 
the  community,  is  a  subject  of 
congratulation  rather  than  of 
wonder.  It  has  been,  in  many 
points  of  view,  the  pride  and 
glory  of  our  western  world.  Its 
excellent  founders  and  subse- 
quent benefactors  have  endow- 
ed it  in  a  manner  unparalleled 
in  this  country;  and  it  has  been 
the  nursery  of  a  long  and  illus- 
trious train  of  religious,  civii, 
and  literary  characters,  whose 
names  will  not  be  forgotten, 
while  the  history  of  the  United 
States  shall  continue  to  attract 
the  notice  of  m'ankind.  Its  lit- 
erary character  we  are  far  from 
wishing  to  disparage,  or  under- 
value. Its  instructors  are  'a 
highly  respectable  body  of  men. 
Among  them  are  some,  as  we 
would  hope  and  believe,  who 
prefer  the  faith  of  our  fathers  to 


Unitarianism  in  Harvard  College. 


17 


the  new  philosophy  of  the  day. 
Whatever  we  may  think  of  the 
religious  opinions  of  others,  we 
are  not  in  the  slightest  degree 
tempted  to  detract  from  any  just 
estimation,  in  which  they  ought 
to  be  held,  as  men  of  talents  and 
literature.  If  talents  are  per- 
verted, or  erudition  misapplied, 
in  the  zealous  propagation  of 
the  new  philosophical  religion, 
we  must  of  course  lament  such 
a  state  of  things;  but  this  ♦will 
neither  warrant  nor  prompt  us 
to  treat  the  persons  concerned 
with  disrespect. 

We  are  aware  of  the  artifice, 
which  has  been  resorted  to  by 
some  distinguished  names,  to 
save  this  Seminary  from  animad- 
version. The  moment  we  be- 
gin to  express  our  fears  res- 
pecting the  tendency  of  its  ad- 
ministration, they  vociferate, 
"Why  then  you  are  enemies  to 
learning!  You  want  to  pull  down 
the  college;  to  check  the  spirit 
of  improvement  and  inquiry; 
and  to  bring  us  back  to  the  dark 
ages?"  This  will  do  very  well 
as  a  hasty  appeal  to  the  vulgar; 
but  if  it  be  intended  as  a  speci- 
men of  the  new  philosophical 
reasoning,  it  is,  we  should  sup- 
pose, not  quite  so  happy  as  could 
be  wished  by  its  authors. 

What!  Are  we  enemies  to 
learning,  because  we  are  con- 
vinced that  learning  misap- 
plied and  perverted  may  do  great 
barm  to  the  community?  And 
because  we  are  earnestly  desi- 
rous, that  this  noble  Institution, 
sacredly  consecrated  "to  Christ 
and  the  Chiych,"  should  regard 
its  original  destination,  and  not 
teach  men  to  deny  the  Lord  of 
glory,  instead  of  worshipping 
him?  Are  we  enemies  to  Har- 
vard University,  because  we  ar- 


dently wish  that  the  majority  of 
its  instructors  had  such  views  of 
Christianity  as  appear  to  us 
evangelical,  instead  of  other 
views,  which  they  now  entertain 
and  inculcate?  The  allegation  is 
as  contemptible  as  it  is  errone- 
ous, and  can  never  weigh  a 
feather,  but  with  persons,  who 
are  guided  neither  by  reason- 
ing nor  by  principle. 

But  may  we  not  be  mistaken, 
in  our  apprehensions  respecting 
the  administration  of  Cambridge 
College?  Would  tQ  God  we 
might  be  convinced  of  this;  but 
the  proof,  from  the  pamphlet 
before  us,  is  too  plain  to  admit 
of  doubt. 

Mr-  Belsham  has  told  us  what 
was  done  at  Cambridge,  morei 
than  20  years  ago,  to  introduce 
Unitarianism  there. 

"As  a  further  means  of  diffusing  the 
important  doctrines  of  the  proper  Unity" 
of  God,  and  the  simple  humanity  of  Je- 
sus Christ,  Mr.  Liudsey  made  a  present 
of  his  own  and  of  Dr.  Priestley's  Theolog- 
ical Works  to  the  Libraiy  of  Harvard 
College^  in  the  University  of  Cambridge 
in  New  England;  for  which,  "as  a  very 
valuable  and  acceptable  present,"  he  re- 
ceived the  thanks  of  the  President  and 
Fellows.  These  books  were  read  with 
great  avidity  by  the  students.  But 
though  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  the 
seed  thus  sown  took  deep  root,  and  that 
in  many  instances  it  produced  an  abun- 
dant harvest;  and  though  many  persons 
eminent  for  rank  and  talent  in  the  New 
England  Stales  openly  avowed  the  Unita- 
rian creed,  it  does  not  appear  that  any 
numerous  societies  of  Christians  have 
hitherto  followed  the  example  of  the 
congregation  at  the  King's  Chapel,  in 
making  a  public  profession  of  the  Unitari- 
an doctrine."  pp,  15,  16. 

Again; 

"In  the  state  of  Massachusetts,  and 
particularly  in  the  environs  of  Boston, 
the  great  cause  of  Christian  truth,"  (i.  e.  of 
Unitarianism,)  "is  making  a  silent  but  rap- 
id and  irresistible  progress.  From  the 
inquisitive  an4  liberal  spirit  which  pre- 


Unitarianism  in  Harvard  College. 


vails  in  the  University  of  Cambridge, 
which  has  never  been  checked  at  any 
time,  but  which  there  is  reason  to  expect 
■will  receive  every  requisite  aid  and  en- 
couragement from  the  present  learned 
and  accomplished  Principal,  Dr.  Kirk- 
land,  the  happiest  consequences  may  be 
expected  to  ensue."      p.  37. 

We  refer  also  to  the  first  par- 
agraph of  the  letters  of  Mr. 
Wells,  a  distinguished  and  fa- 
vorite alumnus  of  that  college. 
If  further  evidence  were  want- 
ing, we  might  find  it,  in  the 
class  of  books  recommended  by 
the  Professor  of  Divinity  in  that 
Seminary,  as  the  best  books  in 
Theology;  in  the  manner  in 
which  his  Theological  Lectures 
are  managed,  and  in  which  the 
exercises  of  the  Sabbath  are  con- 
ducted; especially,  in  the  Gen- 
eral Repository,  a  work,  which 
declares  the  doctrine  of  the 
Trinity  to  be  the  grossest  cor- 
ruption of  modern  times;  and  in 
a  letter  of  consolation  and  en- 
couragement written  by  Dr. 
Kiikland  to  the  New  Unitarian 
Church  in  Philadelphia;  which 
they,  like  their  Apostle  Bel- 
sham,  have  been  complaisant 
enough  to  publish,  by  shewing  it 
to  several  ot  their  orthodox 
friends.  But  it  is  unnecessary 
to  proceed  in  this  detail,  which 
might  be  enlarged  to  thousands 
of  particulars.  The  gentlemen 
themselves,  since  Mr.  Belsham 
has  so  unexpectedly  and  impru- 
dently betrayed  the  matter,  will 
not,  we  presume,  for  a  moment 
hesitate  to  avow  the  princples 
which  they  hold. 
JThere  is  one  topic  of  proof,  how- 
ever, which  is  of  a  very  solemn 
nature,  and  which  deserves  a 
separate  notice.  We  refer  to 
the  prayers,  offered  by  the  Pres- 
ident, at  the  public  commence- 
ment.   It  will  not  be  contended, 


that  these  prayers,  as  they  have 
been  offered  for  four  years  in 
succession,  afford  an  unfavorable 
specimen  of  the  kind  of  religion, 
which  is  taught  in  the  college 
Indeed,  the  prayers  of  professed 
Christians,  generally,  are  much 
less  apt  to  be  erroneous,  than 
their  direct,  formal,  instructions. 
At  one  commencement,  that  of 
1813,  the  prayers  were  particu- 
larly observeed,  and  their  defi- 
ciences  noticed,  even  by  chil- 
dren who  had  b«»en  accustomed 
to  far  other  devotional  exercises. 
At  the  close  of  the  day,  several 
gentlemen  of  education  and  res- 
pectability, from  different  parts 
of  the  American  union,  came  to 
the  unanimous  conclusion,  that 
the  following  negatives  could  be 
truly  asserted  concerning  both 
the  prayers:  viz.  That  there  was 
no  mention  of  sin;  of  course  no 
petition  for  forgiveness;  no  ad- 
mission or  implication  that  man- 
kind are  in  a  ruined  state;  no 
acknowledgment  of  exposedness 
to  sin.  There,  was  no  mention 
of  salvation;  nor  the  slightest 
allusion  to  any  church  as  existing 
upon  earth;  nor  to  the  holiness 
and  happiness  of  heaven.  There 
was  no  mention  of  a  radical  dis- 
tinction among  men;  no  admis- 
sion of  regeneration;  no  suppli- 
cation for  spiritual  aid.  There 
was  no  looking  forward  to  a 
more  blissful  period  of  the 
world,  when  the  truth  shall  be 
universally  prevalent.  In  one 
of  the  prayers,  there  was  no 
mention  of  Christ,  nor  the  most 
distant  allusion  to  Him;  in  the 
other,  the  only  mention  or  allu- 
sion was  in  the  three  closing 
words,  "through  our  Redeem- 
er." 

We  should  not  have  mention- 
ed this  subject,  if  it  seemed  pos- 


Manner  of  propagating  Unitarianism. 


19 


^ible  that  such  prayers  could 
have  originated  from  mere  for- 
getfulness,  or  accident.  Were 
ye  asked  for  a  positive  descrip- 
tion of  them,  we  should  say,  that 
they  were  such  as  a  candid  and 
intelligent  man  would  suppose 
Mr.  Belsham  to  make,  in  perfect 
consistency  with  his  creed. 

It  is  to  be  remembered,  that 
the  departure  of  a  class  from  the 
college,  where  they  have  been 
educated,  is  to  them  a  solemn 
occasion;  and  that  they  need-, 
whatever  their  instructors  may 
think  on  the  subject,  to  be  earn- 
estly and  affectionately  com- 
mended to  the  grace  of  God. 
They  need  the  prayers  of  all, 
who  have  an  interest  at  the 
throne  of  grace,  that  as  they  go 
forth  into  the  world,  and  become 
more  exposed  to  its  manifold 
temptations,  they  may  be  pre- 
served from  sin,  and  sanctified 
by  the  Word  and  Spirit  of  God, 
made  blessings  to  the  church 
and  the  world,  and  prepared  for 
endless  happiness  and  glory. 

Such,  then,  is  the  melancholy 
yiew  of  this  important  Seminary; 
which  contains  hundreds  of 
promising  yoiSths,  who  are  here- 
after to  act  a  conspicuous  part 
in  the  important  business  of  life. 
The  most  superficial  observer 
must  see,  that  such  a  seminary 
is  the  very  heart  of  the  common- 
wealth; every  pulse  it  beats,  if  it 
be  diseased,  will  send  poisonous 
blood  to  the  very  extremities  of 
the  body  politic.  Let  Christian 
parents  look  well  to  this.  The 
men  that  raised  up  the  College, 
and  made  it  the  glory  of  our 
western  world,  were  men  who 
consecrated  it  "to  Christ  and  the 
church"  To  them  belongs  the 
praise  of  making  it  what  it  has 
been.     But  it  is  no  longer  what 


it  once  was.  The  lustre  of  sci- 
ence still  shines,  but  the  Sun  of 
Christianity  is  eclipsed.  Young 
men  leave  the  place  now,  not 
with  hosannas  in  their  mouths 
to  the  Son  of  David;  but  with 
burning  zeal  to  propagate  the 
new  philosophy.  Does  the  par- 
ent, who  bows  the  knee  to  Jesus, 
wish  to  have  his  son  deny  the 
Lord  that  bought  him?  If  not, 
let  him  well  reflect  what  desti- 
nation he  gives  him,  to  be  taught 
the  principles  of  religion  as  well 
as  science. 

If  the  advocates  for  the  present 
administration  of  the  College  are 
displeased  with  these  remarks, 
they  must  thank  Mr.  Belsham 
for  having  elicited  them.  We 
never  took  our  pen  with  greater 
caution,  nor  with  a  more  imperi- 
ous sense  of  duty. 

We  have  done  with  the  His- 
tory of  the  progress  of  Unitari- 
anism; but  there  are  some  inci- 
dental points  in  the  pamphlet 
before  us,  which  it  will  be  prop- 
er to  notice. 

The  manner^  in  which  Unita- 
rianism is  propagated,  deserves 
a  few  moments  attention.  Dr. 
Freeman,  as  has  been  seen  al- 
ready, describes  certain  cau- 
tious characters,  "who  content 
themselves  with  leading  their, 
hearers',  by  a  course  of  rational 
but  prudent  sermons,  gradually 
and  insensibly  to  embrace"  Uni- 
tarianism. Though  Dr.  F.  does 
not  entirely  approve  this  mode; 
"yet,"  says  he,  "it  produces  good 
effects." 

Mr.  Belsham  has  inserted  in 
his  work,  (pp.  38 — 41  of  the 
pamphlet,)  a  very  "curious"  let- 
ter, to  use  his  own  epithet;  but 
has  not  told  us  who  was  the 
writer  of  it.  We  recommend 
this  letter  to  our  readers>  as  one 


20  Manner*  of  propagating  Unitarianism. 


of  the  most  admirable  specimens 
of  anility,  which  they  will  any 
where  find.  It  contains  a  great 
deal  of  small  talk,  concerning 
the  Boston  Clergy  and  other 
things.  The  object  of  Mr.  Bel- 
sham  in  publishing  it,  was, 
doubtless,  to  chastise  the  Boston 
Clergy  for  their  cowardice  in 
concealing  their  religious  opin- 
ions. Hear  him  commenting  on 
this  letter: 

"Can  it  upon  the  common  principles  of 
human  nature  be  reasonabb/  expected  of 
a  body  of  clergy,  nursed  in  the  lap  of  ease 
and  affluence,  and  placed  in  a  station  of 
such  high  secular  consideration  and  com- 
fort as  that  of  the  ministers  of  Boston, 
that  they  should  come  forward  and  by  an 
open  profession  of  unpopular  truth  volun- 
tarily risk  the  loss  of  all  their  temporal 
dignity  and  comfort,  and  incur  the  con- 
tempt and  enmity  of  many  who  are  now 
their  warmest  admirers  and  friends?  I  say 
not  this  by  way  of  disparagement  to  the 
present  body  of  ministers  in  Boston  and 
its  neighborhood.  Some  of  these  I  have 
the  pleasure  to  call  my  friends,  and  know 
thorn  to  be  possessed  of  talents  the  most 
distinguished,  of  piety  the  most  fervent, 
and  of  benevolence  and  zeal  the  most  ar- 
*  dent,  active  and  laudable;  and  of  the  rest 
I  have  heard  a  most  favorable  character. 
It  is  the  situation,  not  the  men,  which  ex- 
cites my  apprehensions.  And  who  will 
venture  to  say  of  himself,  that  his  virtue 
•would  be  equal  to  the  trial.  Yet  still  it 
cannot  reasonably  be  hoped  that  truth 
will  make  any  visible  and  rapid  progress, 
till  her  advocates  rise  above  the  fear  of 
man,  and  the  love  of  ease,  and  are  willing 
with  the  apostles  of  Christ  and  the  re- 
formers of  every  age,  to  forsake  all  and  to 
sacrifice  their  dearest  interests  in  her  glo- 
rious cause.  The  encouragement  and 
success  which  such  faithful  confessors 
would  meet  with  in  that  populous  and  op- 
ulent city,  would,  I  doubt  not,  be  very 
great."    p.  41. 

"Faithful  confessors!"  What 
distinguished  self-denial,  sim- 
plicity, and  godly  sinccrityl  The 
crown  of  martyrdom  surely 
awaits  you.  Arc  you  not  impa- 
tient to  be  gone,  and  grasp  the 
immortal  prize? 

Mr  Belsham  takes  the  liberty 
to  differ  very    much  from   his 


Boston  brethren,  on  the  subject 
of  concealing  their  sentiments 
in  this  manner.  Mr.  Wells  has 
undertaken  to  become  their  ad- 
vocate. His  plea  in  their  behalf 
has  been  already  seen  in  the  third 
paragraph  of  his  letter. 

We  pass  over,  for  the  present, 
the  very  decorous  appellations, 
liberally  bestowed  by  Mr.  Wells 
upon  the  orthodox;  and  remark 
merely,  that  the  apology  for  his 
cautious  brethren  sufficiently  in- 
dicates his  views  of  their  con- 
duct in  regard  to  their  public 
teaching. 

Thus  it  is,  and  thus  it  has  been 
for  years.  Knowing  that  the 
cold  skepticism  of  Socinianism 
cannot  satisfy  the  wants  nor  alle- 
viate the  woes  of  plain  common 
sense  people,  its  advocates  in 
general  have  not  dared  to  be 
open.  They  have  clandestinely 
crept  into  orthodox  churches, 
by  forbearing  to  contradict  their 
faith,  and  then  have  gradually 
moulded  them  by  their  negative 
preaching,  to  the  shape  which 
they  would  wish.  The  people, 
after  a  while,  never  hearing  of 
the  atonement,  nor  of  special 
grace,  or  any  of  the  kindred  doc- 
trines, forget  that  they  belong  to 
theChristian  system;  and,  by  and 
by,  regard  a  man  as  a  kind  of 
enthusiast,  or  monster,  who 
preaches  such  doctrines.  Who 
does  not  see,  that  there  is  great 
cunning,  and  that  there  is  great 
policy  in  all  this?  But  then — the 
honesty!  That  is  another  matter. 
Did  the  holy  apostles  act  in  this 
manner  when  they  preached  to 
Jews  or  heathens?  Did  they 
teach  by  negatives?  Let  those 
blush,  who  profess  to  follow  the 
apostles,  and  yet  behave  in  this 
base,  hypocritical  manner!  Com- 
mon honesty  revolts  at  it.  The 
idea    that    a  minister    believes 


Manner  of  Propagating  Unitarianism.         2i 


the  truths  of  the  Gospel  to  be  of 
infinite  importance,  and  still 
conceals  them,  is  incompatible 
either  with  fidelity  or  integrity. 

We  appeal  to  the  community 
at  large,  whether  it  is  not  a  noto- 
rious fact,  that  candidates  for  the 
ministry,  of  the  liberal  party, 
generally  conceal  their  religious 
opinions;  and  that  they  do  this 
v/ith  particular  Care,  when  there 
is  a  prospect,  or  a  hope,  of  their 
being  settled  over  orthodox 
churches?  We  ask,  also,  wheth- 
er it  is  not  a  notorious  fact,  that 
candidates  of  the  orthodox  school 
generally  avow  their  religious 
opinions  with  the  utmost  frank- 
ness, and  that  they  take  particu- 
lar care  to  do  so,  when  there  is  a 
prospect  of  their  being  settled 
over  churches  and  congrega- 
tions, which  are  supposed  to 
have  a  leaning  towards  modern 
liberality?  A  child  can  draw  the 
inference;  especially  when  in- 
formed, that  inducements  of  a 
worldly  nature  would  often  be 
quite  as  great  in  the  latter  class 
of  cases  as  in  the  former. 

We  know  indeed,  that  modesty 
is  the  plea  of  these  negative 
preachers!  They  do  not  wish  to 
be  over-confident!  But  let  us  see 
them  undisguised;  look  at  them 
in  Mr.  Belsham's  pamphlet;  and 
judge  of  this  modesty  and  want 
of  confidence  in  their  own  opin- 
ions. 

"Unitarianism,"  says  Mr. 
Wells,  "consists  rather  in  not 
believing."  Yes,  in  not  believing 
the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel;  but 
not  in  having  no  creed.  Some 
Unitarians  are,  indeed  of  this 
sort.  They  are  universal  skep- 
tics, respecting  every  proposi- 
tion that  relates  to  Christianity. 
But  most  have  a  creed.  What 
that  is,  we   have  seen  from  the 


hand  of  the  ingenuous  Mr.  Bel- 
sham;  who,  whatever  other  faults 
he  has,  is  certainly  not  often 
chargeable  with  the  faults  of 
tergiversation  and  duplicity. 

Of  the  manner  in  which  Uni- 
tarianism is  taught  in  Harvard 
College,  Mr.  Wells  has  given 
us  a  description  in  the  first  para- 
graph of  his  letter,  to  which  the 
reader  will  please  to  refer.  This 
accords,  to  be  sure,  very  well 
with  the  accounts  which  we  have 
often  received,  of  the  manner  of 
instruction  in  divinity,  at  present, 
in  that  University.  System  m 
instruction,  as  a  positive  entity, 
is  indeed  sufficiently  remote 
from  the  "direction"  of  the  In- 
structors; but  that  religion, 
"which  consists  in  not  believ- 
ing," is  taught  by  a  well  concert- 
ed and  uniformly  executed  plan 
of  negatives.  All  systems  but 
Unitarianism  are  openly,  or  se- 
cretly, impugned  or  ridiculed, 
while  the  '■'■not  believing"  reli- 
gion is  dexterously  substituted 
in  their  place* 

We  unite  most  heartily  with 
Mr.  Belsham,  on  the  subject  of 
propagating  Unitarianism,  in  the 
'wish  to  see  all  who  are  truly 
Unitarians  openly  such,'  and  that 
they  would  teach  the  doctrines 
of  their  creed,  "as  well  as  prac- 
tise the  rites  of  Unitarian  wor- 
ship." p.  41. 

Let  every  honest  man  look  at 
the  above  picture  of  Unitarian- 
ism, drawn  by  the  leaders  them- 
selves. Hear  Mr.  Wells  once 
more,  on  the  spread  of  these 
principles.  "Its  tenets,"  (those 
of  Unitarianism,)  "have  spread 
■very  extensively  in  New  Eng- 
land, but  I  believe  there  is  only 
one  church  professedly  Unita- 
rian." p.  44.  Indeed!  And  are 
these  the  true    representatives 


22  How  Unitarians  praise  each  other. 


of  the  Apostles  and  martyrs, 
glorifying  God  by  an  often  pro- 
fession of  his  Gospel,  and  not 
ashamed  to  own  their  Lord  be- 
fore men?  Is  this  the  simplicity 
and  godly  sincerity  of  the  Gos- 
pel? And  these  the  men,  who 
claim  all  the  reason,  all  the  learn- 
ing, all  the  charity,  all  the  integ- 
rity of  the  community?  Are  these 
the  men,  who,  according  to  the 
insinuation  of  Mr.  Wells,  are 
"every  thing  that  is  respectable," 
while  their  opponents  are  "every 
thing  that  is  detestable?"  The 
conduct  of  Mr.  Belsham,  rotten 
as  he  is,  in  point  of  doctrine,  to 
the  very  core,  is  purity  itself 
compared  with  the  conduct  of 
these. 

There  is  another  striking 
characteristic  in  the  progress  of 
Unitarianism  in  this  country. 
We  have,  in  various  places,  the 
history  of  the  manner  in  which 
converts  are  made  to  this  reli- 
gion. The  Boston  clergy  are 
represented  by  Dr.  Freeman,  as 
first  converted  bv  the  labors  of 
Mr.  Hazlitt.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Ox- 
nard,  the  father  of  the  Unitarians 
at  Portland,  was  "convinced  by 
the  works  of  Dr.  Priestley  and 
Mr.  Lindsey."  p.  16.  "The  pub- 
lications of  these  men,"  says  Dr. 
F.  "have  had,  and  probably  will 
have,  great  effects."  p.  17.  By 
the  same  publications,  was  the 
Rev-  J.  Sherman  convinced,  p. 
24-  The  works  of  other  Unita- 
rians make  converts  also  at  Old- 
enbarneveld,  and  other  places. 
Dr.  Priestley,  in  his  letter  al- 
ready extracted,  seems  to  con- 
sider his  Tracts  as  necessary  to 
his  success. 

All  this,  to  be  sure,  is  just 
what  the  orthodox  have  long 
affirmed;  Unitarianism  is  not 
spread  by  the  Bible.    But   then, 


that  the  sect,  which  has  such  a 
loathing  for  all  systems,  and  all 
human  creeds,  and  composi- 
tions, should  depend,  and  ac- 
knowledge its  dependence,  for 
all  its  success,  on  the  works  of 
Priestley,  Lindsey,  and  a  few 
others,  is  not  quite  so  consistent 
as  one  might  expect.  Yes,  the 
Bible,  and  the  Holy  Spirit  of 
God,  are  not  once  named  in  the 
whole  pamphlet,  as  the  causes 
of  conversion  to  Unitarianism; 
or  as  even  co-adjutors  in  this 
work.  The  truth  frequently 
owes  its  disclosure  to  accident. 
Mr.  Belsham  and  his  correspon- 
dents, did  not  mean  to  portray 
Unitarianism  thus.  But  where 
there  was  no  disguise;  in  the 
free  expression  of  their  hearts, 
they  told  the  honest  truth.  To 
Priestley,  and  Lindsey,  and  their 
co-adjutors  be  all  the  glory  of 
the  spread  of  this  sect!  The  Bi- 
ble will,  we  apprehend,  be  the 
last  to  claim  it. 

There  is  another  characteristic 
of  Unitarians,  displayed  in  this 
pamphlet,  which  is  not  new  to 
us,  but  with  which  we  have  for 
many  years  been  nauseated.  It 
is  the  practice  of  universally  be- 
daubing each  other,  with  all  the 
fulsome  adulation  which  they  can 
collect  and  invent.  Let  us  see 
how  this  matter  is  managed  by 
Mr.  Belsham  and  his  corres- 
pondents- We  begin  with  the 
commencement  of  the  book,  and 
go  on  in  course.  The  Rev.  J. 
Smith  is  simply  "respectable." 
Dr.  Freeman  has  "a  great  deal 
of  knowledge,  good  sense,  and 
an  excellent  disposition."  Mr. 
Hazlitt  is  "pious,  zealous,  and 
intelligent, — an  honest  man — and 
an  honest  good  man;"  all  in 
twelve  lines.  Dr.  Provost,  who 
is  represented  as  favoring  Dr.  F. 


How  Unitarians  praise  each  other. 


23 


is  a  "man  of  great  learning,  lib- 
era! sentiments,  and  deep  piety," 
as  well  as  a  "worthy  prelate." 
Governor  Bowdoin,  who  is  also 
represented  as  favoring  Dr.  F. 
has  "learning,  good  sense  and 
merit."  Mr.  Carey  is  "worthy 
of  the  honorable  situation  which 
he  occupies,  and  is  well  qualified 
to  carry  on  the  cause  in  which 
his  exceilent  colleague  is  en- 
gaged." Mr.  Oxnard  is  a  "man 
of  good  talents,  sincere  piety, 
and  of  ardent  zeal,"  a  "worthy 
founder,"  and  a  "worthy  man;" 
all  in  twelve  lines.  Gen.  Lin- 
coln is  our  "worthy  Lieutenant 
Governor."  Mr.  Thatcher  is  a 
"gentleman  of  large  property, 
and  of  excellent  character;  of 
active  zeal,  of  high  character, 
approved  patriotism  and  distin- 
guished talents."  Mr.  Bentley, 
(the  Rjv.  Mr.  Bentley  of  Salem) 
is  a  "man  of  a  bold,  independent 
mind,  of  strong  natural  powers, 
and  of  more  skill  in  the  learned 
languages  than  any  person  of  his 
years  in  the  state.''  Col-  Mappa 
is  a  "gentleman  of  truly  respect- 
able character,  and  of  considera- 
ble property."  Mr.  Vanderkemp 
is  "learned  and  pious — and  ex- 
cellent and  worthy."  Mr.  Sher- 
man is  a  "worthy  confessor, — a 
Christian  confessor;"  possesses 
"fortitude  and  zeal,"  with  a 
"high  elevation  of  character." 
Mr.  Abbot  is  the  "faithful  cham- 
pion of  truth,  the  amiable,  use- 
ful, and  beloved  pastor;  the  vir- 
tuous sufferer;  an  able,  honest, 
and  pious  sufferer;"  all  within 
half  a  page.  Mr.  Wells  is  "in- 
telligent, learned,  and  valuable," 
and  has  a  "zeal  for  the  truth 
which  is  beyond  all  praise."  Mr. 
Norton  is  an  "excellent  young 
man."  Dr.  Ware  is  "worthy 
and   learned;"    and  Mr.   Buck- 


minster  is  "reverend,  and  learn- 
ed, and  eloquent." 

All  this,  and  much  more  of  the 
same  kind,  in  about  30  pages. 
Truly  praise  must  be  plenty 
enough,  when  it  rains  down  thus 
in  showers.  We  wonder  what 
new  Lexicon  of  epithets  Mr. 
Belsham  and  his  correspondents 
have  been  studying.  It  must 
surely  be  a  worthy  book,  by  a 
worthy  author,  printed  by  a  wor- 
thy printer,  at  a  worthy  press; 
besides  being  bound  in  a  worthy 
manner  by  a  worthy  binder,  and 
sold  by  a  worthy  bookseller,  at  a 
worthy  price,  to  a  worthy  man, 
who  has  made  a  worthy  use  of  it, 
in  the  composition  of  this  worthy 
history. 

But  to  be  serious;  it  is  nause- 
ating, it  is  intolerable,  to  find 
such  daubing  on  every  page. 
Let  a  man  only  turn  Unitarian, 
and  he  becomes  at  once  a  man  of 
talents,  and  consideration.  The 
newspapers  puff  his  performan- 
ces. He  is  flattered  while  he 
lives;  and  canonized  when  he  is 
dead.  Boston  is,  we  believe,  the 
only  place  in  this  country,  where 
the  manner  in  which  duties  are 
discharged  in  the  pulpit,  are 
made  the  perpetual  subject  of 
newspaper  eulogy.  The  Editors 
of  papers  are  not  at  the  bottom 
of  this.  It  lies  in  the  taste  of 
the  Unitarian  public.  Cambridge 
is  the  only  University  which 
praises  herself,  and  assumes  a 
place  above  all  her  sister  col- 
leges. We  are  satisfied  that 
Unitarianism  has  done  this.  It 
is  one  of  the  arts  of  proselyting. 
Mr.  Belsham  has  shewn  us  how 
he  can  play  off  his  actors  in  the 
drama.  The  disciples  follow  the 
example  of  their  master.  But 
it  is  high  time  to  have  clone 
praising   themselves;  or  at  least 


24 


How  Unitarians  praise  each  other 


to  be  sensible  of  the  awkward, 
disgusting  manner,  in  which 
they  discharge  this  essential  part 
©f  their  vocation. 

All  this,  however,  we  may  be 
told,  proceeds  from  breasts  over- 
flowing with  the  milk  of  human 
kindness;  from  a  fountain  which 
sends  forth  ebullitions  of  univer- 
sal philanthropy.  Indeed!  Let 
us  look  a  little  farther  before  we 
draw  this  conclusion.  How  do 
these  worthy,  and  Jiious,  and  can- 
did, and  liberal  gentlemen  treat 
their  opponents?  Take  the  fol- 
lowing specimens  of  liberality; 
and  these  too  from  leaders  of 
the  sect. 

Mr.  Belsham  calls  the  oppos- 
ers  of  Mr.  Sherman,  "ignorant 
and  malignant  persecutors,"  p. 
26.  Mr.  Vanderkfcmp  says,  that 
Mr.  Sherman  has  to  struggle  at 
Oldenbarneveld,  "with  lurious 
bigotry  and  ignorant  supersti- 
tion," p.  25.  Mr.  Wells,  speak- 
ing of  an  open  contest  about  So- 
cinian  principles,  indulges  in 
the  most  violent  invectives.  Dr. 
Freeman  tells  Mr.  Lindsey,  that 
he  is  frequently  angry  "with 
error  and  bigotry;"  and  congrat- 
ulates him,  on  his  having  "re- 
claimed many  from  the  errors  of 
idolatry  and  superstition." 

Such  are  the  undisguised  ex- 
pressions of  these  kind  and  lib' 
tral  gentlemen  toward  the  ortho- 
dox. All  comment  is  superflu- 
ous. In  pretence,  all  is  polite- 
ness and  liberality;  in  practice, 
■we  find  a  rancor  bitter  as  death, 
and  cruel  as  the  grave. 

Dr.  Freeman  has  indeed  gone 
to  the  ne  filus  of  his  sect-  The 
orthodox  are  "idolaters"!  Divine 
Savior!  What,  then,  are  those 
ten  thousand  times  ten  tliousaudy 
and  thousands  of  thousands, 
around  the   throne  of  God,  who 


say  with  a  loud  voice,  Worthy  is 
the  Lamb  that  was  slain,  to  re~ 
ceive  power,  and  richest  and  wis- 
dom,  and  strength,  and  honor  and 
glory  and  blessing,  and  who  rest 
not  day  nor  night  from  this  em- 
ployment? 

It  is  more  than  three  years, 
since  we  resolved  to  take  up,  as 
a  distinct  article,  the  systematic 
practice  of  praising  each  other,, 
which  has  been  adopted  by  the 
narrow  circle  of  leading  Unitari- 
ans in  this  country.  This  prac- 
tice we  verily  believe  to  have 
been  carried  to  an  extent  abso- 
lutely unexampled.  It  has  been 
so  long  continued,  as  to  have  be- 
come a  proverb,  and  a  by-word, 
in  every  part  of  the  United 
States.  Other  pressing  subjects 
have  hitherto  prevented  us  from 
accomplishing  our  intention. 
But  from  the  complete  success 
which  attended  a  hasty  glance  at 
this  subject,  in  a  pamphlet  on  the 
controversy  between  Miss  Ad- 
ams and  Dr.  Morse,  we  are  sorry 
that  it  has  not  long  ago  been  ex- 
amined and  exposed. 

But  it  is  time  to  bring  our 
Review  to  a  close.  We  will 
touch  on  one  or  two  subjects 
more,  and  we  shall  have  done 
for  the  present. 

We  introduce  the  first  sub- 
ject, by  extracting  from  Mr. 
Belsham  the  following  passage. 

"Notwithstanding  however  these  strong- 
facts,  this  noble  profession,  and  this  con- 
ciliatory spirit,  the  prudent  Council  pro- 
ceed, as  a  matter  of  expediency,  to  dis- 
miss Mr.  Sherman  from  his  connexion 
with  the  society:  and  while  they  bear  hon- 
orable testimony  to  his  character  and  tal- 
ents, and  "recommend  him  to  the  kind 
reception  of  those  who  may  see  fit  to  em- 
ploy him,"  they  cautiously  subjoin,  that 
they  "  'do  not  consider  themselves  as  giv- 
ing their  approbation  of  Mr.  Sherman's 
Peculiar  phraseology  or  circUmsfantiai 
difference  of  sentiment  on  the  subject  of 
the  Trinity."    And  ia  their  subsequent 


Necessity  of  a  Sepai*aiiou. 


25 


*dviee  to  Mr.  Sherman,  they  admonish 
him  to  guanl  against  a  bold  spirit  of  spec, 
ulation.  and  an  inordinate  love  of  novelty. 
"It  is  not  a  little  curious  to  contrast 
those-  ('ifferenc.es  of  opinion  which  this  ven- 
erable Council  coolly  describes  under  the 
soft  expressions  of  peculiar  phraseology 
and  a  circumstantial  difference  of  senti- 
ment. The  man  whom  they  gravely  cau- 
tion against  a  bold  spirit  of  speculation  and 
inordinate  love  of  novelty,  asserts  the  doc- 
trine, that  there  is  One  God,  tbe  sole  ob- 
ject of  religious  worship,  and  one  Media- 
tor between  God  and  man,  the  man  Christ 
Jesus,  who  is  the  prophet  and  messenger 
of  God.  While  his  orthodox  opponents, 
lo  accommodate  whom  tbe  Council  think, 
it  expedient  lo  dismiss  their  exemplary 
pastor,  maintain  as  a  doctrine  essential  to 
salvation,  and  which  they  "can  never 
give  up  but  with  the  Bible  which  contains 
it,"  that  "the  man  Jesus  is  truly  and 
properly  God."  Is  the  venerable  Coun- 
cil serious  in  stating  differences  so  glaring 
and  so  substantial  as  these,  as  nothing 
more  than  a  "peculiar  phraseology"  and  a 
"circumstantial  difference  of  sentiment".1' 
No!  No!  Opinions  such  as  these  can  no 
more  harmonize  with  each  other  than 
light  and  darkness,  than  Christ  and  Belial. 
They  who  hold  doctrines  so  diametrically 
opposite  cannot  be  fellow  worshippers  in 
the  same  temple.  It  was  expedient  that 
they  should  separate.  So  far  the  Council 
judged  right."  p.  30. 

With  all  our  hearts  we  sub- 
scribe to  this  frank  and  ingenu- 
ous comment.  It  does  honor  to 
Mr.  Belsham.  How  different 
from  the  disguise  of  our  Unita- 
rians, and  their  whining  com- 
plaints about  illiberality  in  the 
orthodox  in  refusing  to  exchange 
with  them.  We  repeat  with  Mr. 
Belsham,  "Those  who  hold  doc- 
trines, so  diametrically  opposite, 
cannot  be  fellow-worshippers  in 
the  same  temple."  How  can  two 
walk  together  unless  they  are 
agreed?  We  hope  these  re- 
marks of  Mr.  B.  will  stimulate  his 
brethren  here,  to  adopt  his  lan- 
guage on  this  subject;  at  least, 
to  permit  the  orthodox  to  come 
out  and  be  separate,  without  til- 
ling the  churches  and  the  news- 
papers with  complaints  of  bigot- 
ry and  uncharitablencRS.  We 
4 


hope,  too,  that  the  orthodox  will 
be  stimulated  to  act  more  deci- 
sively on  this  subject,  than  they 
have  done.  It  is  the  reproach 
and  sin  of  Massachusetts,  that 
while  all  the  orthodox,  from  Con- 
necticut to  Georgia,  are  unani- 
mous in  withholding  communion 
from  Unitarians,  she  is  lagging 
behind,  and  dallying  with  this 
awful  and  responsible  subject. 
It  is  high  time  for  decisive  ac- 
tion on  this  point.  We  are  aware 
who  stand  in  the  way.  There  are 
ministers,  who  make  it  their 
boast  to  shoot  as  near  to  ortho- 
doxy as  they  can,  and  not  hit  it; 
who  are  waiting  to  sec  which 
way  the  tide  will  finally  turn; 
who  will  write  one  half  of  a  ser- 
mon to  please  the  orthodox,  and 
the  other  half  to  satisfy  Unitari- 
ans; who  mean  to  bo  popular 
with  both  parties,  let  the  cause 
of  religion  lare  as  it  may.  For 
such,  it  requires  the  full  exer- 
cise of  Christian  meekness  not 
to  feel  contempt.  We  do  feel 
sincere  commiseration. 

There  are  others,  too,  who  are 
too  modest  and  unassuming  to 
preach  or  act  decisively,  because 
forsooth,  they  are  not  satisfied 
aboutcertain  controverted  points. 
Let  such  persons  abandon  the 
office  of  teaching,  and  return  to 
their  studies  until  they  are  satis- 
fied. What  right  have  they  to 
teach  religion,  when  they  them- 
selves are  not  satisfied  about  its 
fundamental  principles? 

Both  these  parties  are  clogs  to 
orthodoxy.  Their  help,  is  deadly 
to  the  cause.  We  want  none  to 
labor  in  the  work,  who  are  not 
satisfied  that  it  is  the  cause  of 
God,  and  prepared  to  act  accord- 
ingly. 

Still,  we  would  be  the  last  to 
justify     persecution,     or     party 


26 


Necessity  of  a  Separation. 


spirit.  We  abhor  both.  Let  the 
orthodox  come  out  and  be  sepa- 
ratees Mr.  Belsham  advises;  but 
let  them  utter  no  reproaches;  let 
them  pass  no  hasty  censures,  no 
unchristian  excommunications. 
Let  them  deal  with  their  offend- 
ing brethren  in  a  solemn,  affec- 
tionate, tender  manner.  Their 
business  is  to  labor  for  the  salva- 
tion of  souls,  not  to  exalt  a  party. 
As  to  the  utter  incompatibility 
of  Unitarianism  with  the  faith  of 
orthodox  churches,  we  present 
our  readers  with  the  opinion  of  a 
very  able  man,  and  a  distinguish- 
ed champion  of  the  truth.      , 

"It  is  very  obvious,  that  two  systems, 
of  which  the  sentiments  on  subjects  such 
as  these  are  in  direct  opposition,  cannot, 
with  any  propriety,  he  confounded  to- 
gether under  one  common  name.  'That 
both  shouid  be  Christianity,  is  impossible; 
else  Christianity  is  a  term  which  distin- 
guishes nothing.  Viewing  the  matter  ab- 
stractly, and  without  affirming,  for  the 
present,  what  is  truth  and  what  is  error, 
this,  I  think,  1  may  with  confidence  affirm, 
that  to  cajl  schemes  so  opposite  in  all  their 
great  leading  articles  by  a  common  appel- 
lation, is  more  absurd,  than  it  would  be  to 
confou-.d  together  those  two  irreconcila- 
ble theories  in  astronomy,  of  which  the 
ore  places  ihe  Earth,  and  the  other  the 
Sun,  in  the  centre  of  the  Planetary  Sys- 
tem. They  are,  in  truth,  essentia  flu  dif- 
ferent religions.  For  if  opposite  views  as 
to  the  object  of  worship,  the  ground  of 
hope  for  eternity,  the  ride  of  faith  and 
duty,  and  the  principles  and  motives  of 
true  obedience;  if  these  do  not  constitute 
different  religions,  we  may,  without  much 
difficulty,  discover  some  principles  of  union 
and  identity,  among  all  religions  what- 
ever; we  may  realize  the  doctrine  of 
Pope's  universal  prayer;  and  extend  the 
right  hand  of  fellowship  to  the  worship- 
pers at  the  Mosque,  and  to  the  votaries  of 
Brama." 

These  sentences  arc  taken 
from  a  work  now  in  the  press, 
and  which  will  be  presented  to 
the  public  in  a  few  days.  It  is  a 
Series  of  Discourses  on  the  So- 
cinian  Controversy,  by  the  Rev. 
Ralph  Wardlaw,  of  Glasgow*  and 


has  been  received  with  very  great 
favor  in  Great  Britain.  Mr- 
Wardlaw  probably  did  not  know, 
that  Pope's  Universal  Prayer  had 
been  introduced  with  an  altera- 
tion which  did  not  affect  the 
sense,  into  the  public  worship  of 
an  enlightened  congregation,  in 
the  most  enlightened  place  in 
the  world.  Yes,  this  prayer, 
which  declares  that  the  same  God 
is  worshipped  by  one,  whom  the 
New  Testament  describes  as  a 
saint  or  holy  person,  by  a  sage, 
who  is  laboring  to  emit  the  light 
of  philosophy  from  the  darkness 
of  his  own  benighted  mind,  and 
by  a  savage,  who  is  engaged  in 
offering  human  sacrifices  to  his 
malignant  deities; — this  prayer 
is  adopted  by  a  Christian  assem- 
bly to  be  used  as  a  hymn  of  praise 
to  the  true  God! 

To  return  to  the  subject, from 
which  we  digressed  a  moment, 
let  the  orthodox  separate  in  wor- 
ship and  communion  from  Uni- 
tarians; but  let  them  meekly  give 
a  reason  for  their  separation.  To 
treat  their  opponents  with  asper- 
ity, with  contempt,  or  reproach, 
is  unworthy  of  them  as  Chris- 
tians, or  as  men.  They  must 
feel,  that  their  opponents  have 
souls  to  be  saved  or  lost;  souls 
as  precious  as  their  own.  The 
great  majority  of  those,  whose 
influence  goes  to  swell  the  im- 
portance of  the  liberal  party,  are 
not  involved  in  most  of  the  cen- 
sures, which  this  review  implies, 
or  expresses.  They,  only,  who 
arc  the  principal  actors  in  Mr. 
Belsham's  drama,  have  been  thus 
unwittingly  exposed  by  their 
heresiarch.  Their  conduct  de- 
serves animadversion  in  many 
things,  as  it  regards  religion.  In 
a  civil  and  social  respect,  we  are 
disposed  to  treat  them  with  cour- 


Necessity  of  a  Separation. 


27 


tesy.  But  we  cannot,  we  ought 
not  to  let  this  courtesy  paralyze 
our  hands  and  make  us  indiffer- 
ent, while  the  contest  is  pending, 
whether  Christianity  shall  exist 
in  any  thing  more  than  a  name 
in  our  country,  or  be  supplanted 
by  the  new  philosophy. 

Let  our  readers  say,  after  the 
above  developement,  whether 
the  time  is  not  come,  in  which 
we  and  they  are  to  speak  out, 
and  to  act  with  decision.  If  it  is, 
then  let  them  follow  the  exam- 
ple; and  let  the  churches  in  this 
land,  who  yet  reverence  the  reli- 
gion of  the  Bible,  (which  was 
the  religion  of  our  fathers,)  and 
bow  the  knee  to  Jesus,  purify 
themselves,' wherever  it  isneces- 
sary  from  the  reproach  which 
now  lies  against  some   of   them. 

Have  you  any  doubts  remain- 
ing on  this  subject  after  perus- 
ing the  quotations  contained  in 
this  Review?  You  have  seen, 
Christians,  in  what  manner  your 
Bible  and  your  Savior  are  re- 
garded and  treated.  Ponder  well 
on  this.  Shall  your  children  be 
trained  up  in  these  principles? 
Remember  that  you  are  account- 
able to  God  for  the  manner  in 
which  you  think  and  act  on  these 
subjects. 

We  are  aware,  that  it  will  be 
charged  against  us,  that  the  ten- 
dency of  the  preceding  remarks 
is  to  give  an  unfair  representa- 
tion of  the  liberal  party.  It  will 
be  said,  that  the  liberal  party 
ought  not  to  be  condemned  for 
the  extravagant  opinions  of  Mr. 
Belsham.  It  has  been  said,  that 
Mr.  Wells  is  an  obscure  man, 
and  that  his  testimony  does  not 
amount  to  much.  This  is  new 
to  us.  We  had  always  supposed 
that  Mr.  Wells  was  far  from  be- 


ing an  obscure  man  among  the 
liberal  party;  and  we  still  believe 
that  he  is  one  of  the  most  intelli- 
gent, active,  and  prominent  men 
in  their  ranks.  That  he  has  been 
among  the  planners  and  execu- 
tors of  nearly  all  their  literary- 
publications  will  not  be  doubled. 
It  is  with  pleasure  that  we  men- 
tion one  proof  of  genuine  liber- 
ality in  Mr.  Wells:  we  refer  to 
his  republication  of  the  Chris- 
tian Observer.  By  presenting 
this  work  to  the  American  pub- 
lic, he  conferred  a  lasting  benefit 
on  this  country;  though,  by  do- 
ing it,  he  incurred  the  disappro- 
bation of  some  of  his  Unitarian 
brethren.  We  believe,  however, 
that  Mr.  Wells  is  not  at  present 
concerned  in  that  publication. 

But  there  is  much  evidence 
on  this  subject,  besides  the  tes- 
timony of  Mr.  Wells  and  Dr. 
Freeman.  We  feel  entirely  war- 
ranted to  say,  that  the  firedomi~ 
nant  religion  of  the  liberal  party 
is  deci  ledly  Unitarian,  in  Mi. 
Belsham's  sense  of  the  word. 
The  Anthology,  published  by 
the  most  prominent  clergymen 
and  laymen  of  the  liberal  party, 
clearly  favored  the  Unitarian 
school.  The  General  Reposito- 
ry was  still  more  open  and  un* 
disguised.  Both  these  works 
had  the  patronage  of  those,  who 
have  the  entire  control  of  the 
College;  the  latter  issuing  from 
the  walls  of  that  seminary.  The 
Improved  Version  of  the  New 
Testament  was  patronized  and 
praised  by  the  same  men.  Ol 
this  Version  Mr.  Belsham  says, 
in  his  Calm  Inquiry,  p.  460,  that 
'the  notes  were  intended  chiefly 
to  exhibit  the  most  approved  in- 
terpretations of  the  Unitarian 
expositors.'     Of  this   avowedly 


28 


Necessity  of  a  Separation. 


sectarian  publication  the  Re- 
viewers in  the  General  Reposi- 
tory speak   thus,  vol.  iv,  p.   207- 

"We  honestly  profi  89,  and  without  fear 
of  losing  reputation  with  those,  whose 
good  opinion  we  are  very  solicitous  to 
retain,  that  we  think  it  a  work  highly  re- 
spectable, and  adapted  to  he  very  useful." 

Again  the  Reviewers  say,  that 
the  editors  of  the  improved  Ver- 
sion 

"Have  produced  a  version  far  more 
faithful,  more  correct,  and  more  inte)lip,i- 
hle,  than  that  in  common  use;  a  version 
therefore  to  an  intelligent  English  reader 
of  very  great  value." 

In  the  Anthology  for  May, 
1811,  p.  330,  is  a  review  of  the 
Memoirs  of  Dr.  W/uciock.  This 
review  was  written,  as  we  have 
reason  to  believe,  by  the  Presi- 
dent of  Harvard  College.  If  we 
have  been  misinformed,  we  will 
take  the  earliest  opportunity  of 
correcting  the  mistake.  In  the 
course  of  the  article,  there  is 
much  sly  sarcasm  in  reference 
to  the  orthodox  faith.  The  fol- 
lowing passage  we  quote  as  a 
specimen. 

"The  early  conversion  of  Mr.  Wliee- 
lockis  by  no  means  the  general  privilege 
of  the  disciples  of  his  school,  however  ex- 
emplary and  regular  their  lives.  The 
change,  which  they  deem  saving,  is  most 
commonly,  in  the  case  of  those  intended 
for  the  ministry,  delayed  till  near  the  time 
when  they  must  begin  or  relinquish  their 
chosen  calling.  At  that  period,  thev  often 
find  themselves  pursued,  as  a  "murderer 
by  the  avenger  of  blood  to  the  very  gates 
ot  the  city  of  refuge" — rand  they  must  en- 
ter or  perish.  If  their  reason  survives  the 
dismay  or  despondence  of  the  law-work, 
the  dreadful  spasm  passes  oft";  and  the  agi- 
tation subsides  into  a  calm,  which  enables 
them  first  to  hear  the  whispers  of  hope, 
and  then  proceed  to  the  exultation  of  jov- 
pp.  3S7,  338. 

This  passage  is  written  in  a 
style  which  exactly  suits  the 
views  and  feelings  of  the  Unita- 


rian school.  Could  the  founders, 
benefactors,  and  instructors  ot' 
Harvard  College,  for  nearly  a 
century  and  three  quarters,  have 
foreseen  the  day,  when  the  liter- 
ary publications,  patronized  by 
the  governors  and  instructors  of 
that  institution,  should  ridicule 
the  idea  of  conversion  by  the 
agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit  of 
God,  with  what  deep  and  poig- 
nant grief  would  their  hearts 
have  been  effected!  And  how 
great  would  have  been  their  as- 
tonishment, as  weli  as  their  grief, 
if  informed,  that  the  highest  offi- 
cer, in  that  venerable  seminary, 
would  think  it  a  proper  employ- 
ment of  his  time  to  sit  down 
coolly  to  the  composition  of  a 
strain  of  sarcasm  and  raillery  on 
such  a  subject: — and  that,  not  for 
his  own  amusement  only,  but  to 
be  thrown  into  the  world  to  fur- 
nish new  jests  for  the  profane, 
and  increase  the  natural  antipa- 
thy of  men  to  religion! 

It  appears,  then,  that  the  Col- 
lege, and  nearly  all  the  influence 
of  the  liberal  party  through  the 
medium  of  the  press,  are  in  favor 
of  Unitarianism.  If  individuals 
dislike  Mr.  Belsham  as  a  leader; 
if  they  are  not  willing  to  be 
classed  among  his  followers;  let 
them  declare  their  own  opinions 
openly.  But  let  them  not  yield 
all  their  countenance  to  Unitari- 
ans and  yet  complain  if  ranked 
in  the  same  class,  by  those  who 
have  no  means  of  learning  their 
opinions  except  by  their  conduct. 

The  pamphlet  contains  a  curi- 
ous letter  from  Mr.  Jefferson  to 
Dr.  Priestley,  which  we  have  not 
room  to  describe.  Speaking  of 
Mr.  Jefferson,  Dr.  Priestley  says: 
"He  is  generally  considered  as 
an  unbeliever:    if    so,   however, 

HE     CANNOT     BE     FAR    FROM    VSj 


Remarks  on  Mr.  Wells's  Letter 


29 


and  I  hope  in  the  way  to  be  not 
only  almost,  but  altogether  what 
we  are."  This  is  what  we  have 
always  thought,  and  frequently 
said.  Unitarianism  and  Infidelity 
are  nearly  related  indeed.  Mr. 
Wells,  who  is  a  hopeful  pupil  of 
the  Priestleian  school,  says  that 
they  are  identical.  "Unitarianism," 
says  he,  "consists  rather  in  not  be- 
lieving," and  he  wishes  to  make 
men  "zealous  in  refusing  to  be- 
lieve." The  words  printed  in  Ital- 
ics were  so  printed  by  Mr.  Bel- 
sham,  and  were  probably  under- 
scored by  Mr.  Wells.  On  reading 
this  passage,  we  turned  to  the  Im- 
proved Version,  saying  to  ourselves, 
"Who  knows  but  Mr.  Wells  may 
read  Scripture  thus:  He  that  bei'wv- 
eth  not  shall  be  saved."  We  find 
that  this  conjectural  emendation  is 
probably  reserved  for  some  impro- 
ved edition.  Whether  it  is  so  re- 
served or  not,  it  is  quite  as  worthy 
of  credit  as  several  conjectural 
criticisms  contained  in  that  work. 

We  shall  close  with  a  few  brief 
observations  on  Mr.  Wells's  letter; 
a  letter  which  contains,  within  a 
small  compass,  a  faithful  epitome 
of  the  most  common  cant  of  the  lib- 
eral party,  as  it  has  appeared  in 
their  publications,  for  ten  years  past. 
It  is  curious  to  observe  the  truly 
meek  and  charitable  manner,  in 
which  Mr.  Wells  arranges  the  par- 
ties to  the  Unitarian  controversy. 
On  his  own  side,  are  "honesty  un- 
fettered and  unbiassed,"  "correct 
sentiments,"  "virtue  and  learning 
and  honor,"  "spirit  and  ability," 
"good  sense,"  "self-respect,  the 
companion  of  virtue,"  "truth,"  and, 
in  short,  "every  thing  which  is  res- 
pectable." On  the  side  of  the  or- 
thodox, are  "craft  and  cunning 
and  equivocation  and  falsehood  and 
intolerant  zeal,"  "low  cunning," 
"low  prejudices,"  "and  every  thing 
which  is  detestable."  So  much  for 
abstract  qualities.  When  we  come 
to  persons,  we  find  "Mr.  Norton,  an 
excellent  young  man,"  "the  very 
Avorthy  ami  learned  Dr.  Ware," 
"Dr.  Kirkland  the  president," 
"most  of  the  Boston  cler  ._.  and  res- 


pectable laymen,    (many   of  whom 
are  enlightened  theologians,)  who  do 
not  conceal  their  sentiments,  but  ex- 
press them,    when    they  judge   i; 
firofier"  and  "Judge  Thatcher,  an 
excellent  man   and    most    zealous 
Unitarian:"  these  are  drawn  up  in 
battle-array,  in  the  liberal   rariEs. 
Oil   the   other   side   no   names  arc. 
mentioned  except  that  of  "Dr.  M."*- 
But  we  find  that  the  orthodox  con- 
sist of  "theological  system-makers;" 
of  "the  ignorant,  the  violent,  the 
ambitious,    and    the    cunning;"    of 
"conceited  deacons,"  and  "bigoted, 
persecuting    Calvinists."       Really! 
This  is  an  arrangement  which,  in 
point  of  liberality,  has  seldom  been 
surpassed.    Mr.  Wells  ought  to  be 
appointed    grand    marshal  of    the 
Unitarian  corps. 

Dr.  Osgood  and  Dr.  Lathrcp  are 
suffered  to  stand  apart;  This  fai  pr 
seems  to  have  been  granted  them, 
because,  to  use  the  words  of  Mr: 
Wells,  "they  are  on  the  best  possi- 
ble terms  with  our  Boston  friends." 
Mr.  Wells  decides  without  the 
least  hesitation,  that  Unitarian  sen- 
timents are  the  only  sentiments  to 
be  found  in  the  New  Testament.  It 
is  not  to  our  purpose  to  inqu  re, 
whence  he  di  rived  his  authority  to 
dogmatize  in  this  flippant  manner. 
He  speak,  however,  of  Drs.  Osgood 
and  Lathrop  as  "really  orthodox,"' 
and  as  "noble  and  determined  sup- 
porters of  the  right  of  private  judg- 
ment." Yet,' if  his  decision  is  enti- 
tled to  credit,  these  aged  and  "ven- 
erable" clergymen  are  the  mere 
dupes  of  "theological  system-mak- 
ers;" and  have  been  employed  all 
their  lives  in  teaching  doctrines, 
which  have  nothing  to  support  them 
in  the  New  Testament.- 

Again;  Mr.  Wells  speaks  in  the 
most  confident  manner  as  though  all 
the  learning  in  die  world  was  enlist- 
ed on  the  Unitarian  side,  and  had  to 
contend  with  nothing  but  ignorance, 

*  The  manner  in  which  Dr.  3M.  is  men- 
tioned in  this  letter,  and  the  injluencr 
which  he  is  deemed  to  have,  will  account 
for  no  small  part  of  the  zeal,  which  some 
Unitarians  have  shewn  to  put  him  down. 
"Worthy"  conduct  in  a  "wwtliy"  cause 


30 


Remarks  on  Mr.  Wells's  Letter. 


prejudice  and  bigotry.  Is  it  possible 
tbat  Mr.  Wells  can  believe,  in  ref- 
erence to  this  country,  that  all  the 
learning  is  on  his  side,  when  nearly 
all  the  regular  clergy,  all  the  col- 
leges except  one,  and  all  the  theo- 
logical institutions,  are  decidedly 
opposed  to  Unitarianism?  and  when 
lie  can  number,  as  in  favor  of  his 
scheme,  only  one  college,  and  a  few 
clergymen  in  Boston  and  the  vicin- 
ity? Is  it  possible,  that  he  can  be- 
lieve the  crude  speculations  of  such 
a  man  as  Mr.  Belsham  to  be  evi- 
dences of  great  learning,  while  such 
men  as  Middleton,  Magee,  Buchan- 
an, Wardlaw,  Chalmers,  and  the 
Editors  of  the  Christian  Observer, 
are  poor,  ignorant,  deluded,  bigoted 
creatures? 

Again;  Mr,  Wells  says  that  "the 
violent  pai*ty,"  (by  which  term  he 
very  meekly  characterizes  the 
friends  of  the  religion  of  our  fath- 
ers,) "have  very  unwisely  preferred 
to  insist  upon  a  subscription  to  arti- 
cles of  faith."  The  simple  fact  is, 
that  the  founders  of  the  Theological 
Institution  at  Andover  have  very 
wisely  insisted,  that  the  professors 
supported  by  their  funds  should  sub- 
scribe articles  of  faith.  Yet  a  strang- 
er would  suppose,  from  Mr.  Wells's 
representation,  that  all  our  minis- 
ters and  churches  wei*e  required  to 
subscribe  to  some  authorized  form- 
ulary of  religious  doctrines,  on  pen- 
alty of  being  excluded  from  the  com- 
munion of  the  orthodox  churches. 
We  need  not  say,  that  such  a  rep- 
resentation is  entirely  unsupported 
by  fact. 

It  is  indeed  singular  that  men  pro- 
fessing unbounded  liberality,  should 
raise  and  keep  up  a  violent  outcry, 
merely  because  a  few  charitable  in- 
dividuals have  endowed  professor- 
ships with  their  own  money,  and 
have  provided  that  the  professors 
should  believe  certain  doctrines, 
which,  as  the  founders  are  fully 
persuaded,  are  taught  in  the  Scrip- 
tures. 

vVgain;  "We  have  to  contend 
here,"  says  Mr.  Wells,  "for  the 
first  principles  of  Protestantism." 


"In  short,  we  are  now  contending 
for  the  liberty  of  being  Protestants." 
■Were  it  not  that  similar  assertions 
have  been  often  made  by  many  of 
the  liberal  party,  we  should  not  no- 
tice tins  subject.  We  must  intreat 
Mr.  Wells,  and  his  brethren,  to  state 
precisely  what  those  principles  of 
Protestantism  are,  which  are  con- 
tended for  by  him  and  his  friends, 
and  denied  by  the  orthodox.  Till 
this  is  done,  we  shall  take  the  liber- 
ty of  asserting,  and  we  do  it  without 
the  least  fear  of  contradiction  or  ex- 
posure, that  no  one  fundamental 
principle  of  Protestantism  is  thus 
contended  for  and  thus  denied.  Let 
us  look  a  moment  a.t  a  subject, 
which  has  given  rise  to  so  much 
groundless  clamor.  What  are  the 
first  principles  of  Protestantism? 
We  have  always  supposed,  that 
justification  by  faith  alone,  was,  by 
way  of  eminence,  the  first  principle 
of  the  early  reformers.  Another 
important  principle  was  this;  that 
before  regeneration  men  are  totally 
destitute  of  holiness,  and  can  do 
nothing  which  is  acceptable  in  the 
sight  of  God.  Other  principles  were 
the  doctrines  of  predestination,  elec- 
tion, conversion  by  the  Spirit  of  God, 
new  obedience,  and  perseverance. 
Which  of  these  doctrines  is  contend- 
ed for  by  the  liberal  party  in  this 
country,  or  denied  by  the  orthodox? 
But  let  us  look  at  another  class  of 
principles.  Protestants  have  uni- 
formly held,  that  the  Scriptures  are 
the  only  and  sufficient  rule  of  faith 
and  practice;  that  Popish  traditions 
are  of  no  authority;  and  that  the 
decisions  of  councils  are  not  infalli- 
ble. Have  the  orthodox  in  this 
country  ever  denied  either  of  these 
principles?  If  they  have,  it  is  new 
to  us.  Perhaps  the  orthodox  have 
been  unwilling  to  put  the  Scriptures 
into  the  hands  of  the  common  peo- 
ple in  their  mother  tongue?  If  so, 
let  the  offence  be  proved.  Let  the. 
guilty  individuals  be  named;  and  we 
will  heartily  join  in  their  condemna- 
tion. But  it  will  he  said,  perhaps, 
that  the  orthodox  have  a  creed,  or 
creeds;    in   other   words,   they  ex-r 


Postscript  to  the  Second  Edition. 


31 


press,  by  a  short  summary,  the 
principal  doctrines,  which  they  be- 
lieve the  Scriptures  to  contain. 
This  is  true;  and  it  is  precisely 
what  all  the  Protestant  churches 
have  uniformly  done,  in  perfect 
consistency  with  every  principle  of 
the  Reformation.  Let  us  hear  no 
more  of  this  miserable  cant  about 
Protestantism.  The  complaint  is 
absolutely  without  foundation.  As 
Tvell  might  it  be  said,  that  the  In- 
quisition of  Goa,  having  travelled 
across  the  Indian  and  Atlantic 
oceans,  (palaces,  caverns  and  all,) 
has  seated  himself  on.  Beacon  hill; 
and  that  father  Josefihus  a  Dolori- 
bus  sits  there,  on  his  black  marble 
throne,  daily  sentencing  the  "wor- 
thy confessors"  of  Unitarianism  to 
his  subterranean  dungeons.  The 
liberal  party  are  not  contending  for 
the  privilege  of  thinking  for  them- 
selves. This  has  never  been  denied 
them  in  this  country.  But  they  are 
contending  for  the  privilege  of 
thinking  for  themselves  and  the  or- 
thodox too;  at  least  so  far  as  to  pre- 
scribe the  manner,  in  which  the  or- 
thodox shall  regard  them.  While 
they  mutilate  the  New  Testament, 
and  reject  nearly  all  the  fundamen- 
tal doctrines  of  the  Gospel;  while 
they  degrade  the  Savior  to  the  con- 
dition of  a  fallible,  peccable,   and 

ignorant  man; they  clamorously 

insist,  that  the  orthodox  should 
have  just  as  good  an  opinion  of  them 
as  they  have  of  themselves,  and 
should  acknowledge  them  to  be 
candid,  impartial,  enlightened,  pi- 
ous Christians.  This  is  requiring 
too  much.  While  they  demand  the 
privilege  of  thinking  and  acting  for 
themselves,  let  them  accord  the 
same  privilege  to  others. 

Mr.  Belsham   predicts,  that  the 
time  will  come  when  the  truth,  by 


which  he  means  Unitarianism,  will 
burst  forth,  in  this  country,  "in  all 
her  glory."  Fired  at  the  thought, 
he  indulges  in  the  following  figura- 
tive language,  with  which  the  his- 
tory concludes. 

"The  dull  hollow  rumbling  at  the  hot- 
torn  of  the  sea,  which  is  scarcely  noticed 
by  the  inattentive  traveller  who  is  gliding 
carelessly  over  the  solid  plate  of  ice  which 
encrusts  the  surface,  is,  to  the  wary  and 
experienced  observer,  a  sure  presage  of 
the  speedy  and  sudden  explosion  of  the 
immense  superincumbent  mass,  and  of  the 
restoration  of  the  imprisoned  waves  to 
their  native  freedom,  to  the  consternation 
and  often  to  the  utter  destruction  of  those 
who  refuse  to  listen  to  the  friendly  pre- 
monition." 

This  is  a  fair  and  generous  warn- 
ing. We  have  heard. "the  dull  hol- 
low rumbling  at  the  bottom  of  the 
sea."  We  exhort  the  churches  "to 
listen  to  the  friendly  premonition;" 
lest,  when  the  fountains  of  the  great* 
deefi  shall  be  broken  up,  those  who 
are  careless  and  inattentive  should 
be  overwhelmed  by  "the  imprison- 
ed waves"  to  "their  consternation 
and  utter  destruction!" 


[P.S.  TO  THE   SECOND  EDITION.] 

We  find  that  the  assertion,  con- 
tained in  the  foregoing  review,  that 
"the  predominant  religion  of  the 
liberal  party  is  decidedly  Unitarian, 
in  Mr.  Belsham's  sense  of  the  word," 
has  been  misunderstood  by  some 
readers.  It  is  sufficient  to  say  here, 
that  we  are  prepared  to  defend  the 
assertion,  in  what  appears  to  us  the 
natural  meaning  of  the  words.  The 
Rev.  Mr.  Channing's  letter  on  this 
subject  will  probably  be  considered 
in  a  future  number  of  the  Panoplist. 


NOTICE. 

The  Panoplist,  from  which  the  foregoing  Review  has  been  taken,  is  published  every 
month  by  SAMUEL  T.  ARMSTRONG,  Boston,  price  Jg2  40  a  year;  the  eleventh 
volume  is  now  printing;  thirty-seven  hundred  and  fifty  copies  are  printed  and  sold 
every  month,  and  many  more  could  be  disposed  of  Subscriptions  for  the  ensuing, 
volume,  or  sets  of  the  whole  work,  will  be  attended  to  promptly;  at  $2  75  per  vol- 
ume. The  profits  arising  from  the  work  are  employed  in  diffusing  the  light  ci"  the 
Gospel  in  our  o-.vn  and  in  foreign  countries. 


